Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on former U.S. President Donald Trump to visit Ukraine, urging him to witness the full extent of destruction inflicted by Russian forces under President Vladimir Putin.
In an interview aired Sunday on CBS, Zelenskyy made a direct appeal to Trump, saying, “Please, before any kind of decisions, any kind of forms of negotiations, come to see the people, civilians, soldiers, hospitals, churches, and children some wounded, some killed. See it with your own eyes.”
The appeal comes as Russia intensified its attacks over the weekend, launching ballistic missiles on the northeastern city of Sumy early Sunday morning. According to local officials and international media, at least 34 people were killed and 83 others injured when two missiles struck the city center, where residents had gathered for Palm Sunday services.
The tragic incident in Sumy has reignited global concern over the humanitarian cost of the war, with analysts suggesting the rising civilian death toll may pressure the Trump-led diplomatic camp to reconsider its current strategy toward Moscow. While Trump has advocated for direct negotiations with Russia as a pathway to end the war, critics argue that any talks must be informed by the harsh realities on the ground.
In a related development, the Turkish defense ministry announced that military officials from Turkey and several other nations are scheduled to convene this week in Ankara. The meetings, set for Tuesday and Wednesday, will focus on Black Sea security and explore collaborative strategies in the event of a future ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
As diplomatic efforts intensify, Zelenskyy’s plea underscores the urgency of ensuring that international leaders fully grasp the human suffering unfolding in Ukraine before shaping the future of the region through negotiations.
