Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy extended a heartfelt invitation to former President Donald Trump to visit Ukraine, urging him to witness firsthand the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict with Russia. This invitation follows a recent ballistic missile strike in Sumy that claimed the lives of at least 34 individuals and injured many more.
A plea for awareness
In an interview with the American news program “60 Minutes” on Sunday, Zelenskyy expressed his willingness to welcome Trump, stating, “With pleasure.” He emphasized the importance of understanding the situation on the ground before making any decisions regarding negotiations or policies related to the conflict. “You think you understand what’s going on here. OK, we respect your position … But, please, before any kind of decisions, any kind of forms of negotiations, come to see people, civilians, warriors, hospitals, churches, children destroyed or dead,” he urged.
The aftermath of violence
The timing of Zelenskyy’s invitation was particularly poignant, as it came just hours after the deadly missile attack during Palm Sunday celebrations in Sumy, one of the deadliest incidents in Ukraine this year. “Come, look, and then let’s — let’s move with a plan how to finish the war,” Zelenskyy added. “You will understand with whom you have a deal. You will understand what Putin did.” He assured Trump that the visit would be genuine, stating there would be no staging with “actors,” and that he could “go exactly where you want, in any city” affected by Russian shelling.
The missile strike in Sumy highlighted the ongoing tragedy faced by civilians in Ukraine, as Russian forces continue to target civilian infrastructure. This attack followed another recent missile strike on Kryvyi Rih, which resulted in the deaths of at least 18 people, including nine children. In response to the latest violence, Trump described the attack as a “horrible” accident, while offering no evidence to support his assertion that it was a mistake.
As the conflict drags on, Trump’s attempts to broker peace have faced significant challenges, with a U.S.-brokered partial ceasefire quickly crumbling amid continuous Russian aggression. Recently, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has dismissed calls for a full ceasefire and instead presented Ukraine with a lengthy list of demands for negotiations.
On Saturday, Trump remarked that the discussions between Ukraine and Russia “might be OK,” but he also indicated that there comes a point where decisive action is required, stating, “There’s a point where you need to either put up or shut up.” His comments have left many questioning whether he was referring to demands from Russia or Ukraine.