Ukrainian President Zelensky invited President Trump to witness the war-torn Ukrainian landscape firsthand before making decisions on peace negotiations with Russia, emphasizing the devastation of cities, hospitals, and victims as crucial context for understanding the true nature of the conflict.

At a Glance

• Zelensky urged Trump to visit Ukraine to see war destruction before pursuing any negotiations with Russia
• Ukrainian leader delivered his appeal following a deadly Russian missile attack that killed 34 civilians in Sumy
• Zelensky criticized Vice President JD Vance for allegedly justifying Putin’s actions
• The Ukrainian president emphasized that Russia is clearly the aggressor in the conflict
• Zelensky warned that global security is at stake if Russian advances continue unchecked

A Direct Appeal to President Trump

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a personal invitation to President Donald Trump to visit Ukraine and witness firsthand the devastating impact of Russia’s ongoing invasion. Speaking in front of Ukraine’s first delivered F-16 Fighting Falcon on August 4, 2024, Zelensky stressed that seeing the destruction with one’s own eyes provides crucial context that reports and briefings cannot convey. The appeal comes as the Trump administration has signaled interest in brokering a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia.

Zelensky’s invitation emphasized the importance of Trump visiting before making any policy decisions, addressing the newly elected president directly: “You think you understand what’s going on here. Okay, we respect your position. You understand. 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.”

🇺🇦🇺🇸 ZELENSKY TO TRUMP: COME SEE THE WAR YOU’RE RUSHING TO END

Ukraine’s president just invited Trump to witness the destruction firsthand—bombed-out churches, dead children, the whole brutal picture.

Zelensky says if Trump wants to cut a deal with Russia, he should at least… https://t.co/NvpW0AS1uB pic.twitter.com/Swy7t2IfN7

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) April 14, 2025

Deadly Missile Attack Underscores Appeal

The Ukrainian president’s plea gained added urgency following a devastating Russian missile strike on the city of Sumy that killed 34 civilians and injured 119 more – the deadliest strike in Ukraine this year. According to reports, the missiles contained cluster munitions, making them particularly lethal when used in populated areas. While Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed the strikes targeted military personnel, international observers quickly condemned the attack on what appeared to be civilian targets.

“The security of the world is at stake. If we do not stand firm, he (Russian President Vladimir Putin) will advance further. It is not just idle speculation; the threat is real.”, said Volodymyr Zelensky.

When asked about the deadly attack, President Trump described it as “terrible” but did not elaborate further on details or potential policy responses. Several international leaders, including Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting and Britain’s Prime Minister, labeled the Sumy attack a war crime, increasing diplomatic pressure on Russia amid ongoing ceasefire talks.

Tensions with Vice President Vance

In his CBS interview, Zelensky specifically criticized Vice President JD Vance, suggesting Vance had attempted to justify Russia’s invasion during a previous meeting. Zelensky recounted his attempt to clarify what he sees as the fundamental reality of the conflict: “First and foremost, we did not launch an attack [to start the war]. It seems to me that the vice president is somehow justifying Putin’s actions. I tried to explain, ‘You can’t look for something in the middle. There is an aggressor and there is a victim.'”

“It seems to me that the vice president is somehow justifying Putin’s actions,” he said, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. “I tried to explain, ‘You can’t look for something in the middle. There is an aggressor and there is a victim. The Russians are the aggressor, and we are the victim.’

The Ukrainian leader also expressed concern that “Russian narratives are prevailing in the U.S.,” leading to what he described as “a shift in tone, a shift in reality” among American policy makers. This comes as Trump’s envoy recently met with Putin to discuss potential frameworks for ending the war, which has entered its third year with no clear resolution in sight.

Path Forward Remains Uncertain

While openly expressing “100% hatred” for Putin, Zelensky maintained that his government is ready for diplomatic solutions to end the war. However, he emphasized that any peace negotiations must recognize Russia as the aggressor. The invitation to Trump represents an attempt to ensure American leadership fully comprehends the realities on the ground before proposing terms for peace talks that could shape Ukraine’s future.

“Putin? 100% hatred. Not even 99.9%. Though this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t work to end the war as soon as possible and transition to diplomacy. But how else can you see a person who came here and murdered our people, murdered children.”, concludes Zelensky.

The White House has not yet indicated whether President Trump plans to accept Zelensky’s invitation. Diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia continue, with American involvement expected to play a significant role in any potential resolution. Both Ukrainian and Russian forces remain engaged in combat along multiple frontlines, with civilian casualties continuing to mount in what has become Europe’s largest land war since World War II.