Zelensky Invites Trump To Ukraine Following Deadly Missile Strike In Sumy.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly invited former US President Donald Trump to visit Ukraine before making any agreements with Russia to end the ongoing war, which has now entered its fourth year.
Speaking during an interview on CBS’s *60 Minutes*, Zelensky urged Trump to witness the reality on the ground for himself. “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 said.
The plea was recorded shortly before a devastating Russian missile strike hit the city of Sumy on Sunday, killing at least 35 people and injuring over 100 others. The attack, one of the deadliest in recent months, has sparked fresh international condemnation.
Russia has claimed, without evidence, that it targeted a gathering of Ukrainian military personnel, allegedly killing 60 soldiers using two Iskander missiles. However, the site – a conference centre – has been left in ruins, and no confirmation of such a military meeting has been provided by Kyiv. A local mayor has demanded accountability from regional security officials should the claims prove true.
Trump, commenting on the strike, described it as “terrible” and added that he had been “told they made a mistake,” without clarifying who had given him that information. His special envoy to Ukraine, retired Lt-Gen Keith Kellogg, strongly criticised the attack, calling it “a crossing of any line of decency.”
Despite Zelensky’s invitation, Trump has yet to confirm whether he will visit Ukraine. So far, only one senior member of his team, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, has made the trip to Kyiv. During that visit, Bessent reportedly demanded that Ukraine sign a resource-trade agreement in exchange for continued military support – a deal President Zelensky refused due to its heavy slant in favour of Washington.
The latest missile strike has intensified global scrutiny of Russia’s actions. German Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz labelled the attack a “serious war crime”, while outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz remarked that it demonstrated the hollowness of Russia’s professed willingness for peace.
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the strike, accusing Russia of showing a “blatant disregard for human lives, international law, and the diplomatic efforts of President Trump.” He called for “strong measures” to enforce a ceasefire.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed the sentiment, describing the Sumy attack as “barbaric”. “Russia was and remains the aggressor, in blatant violation of international law,” she stated. “Europe will continue to press for a just and lasting peace, on Ukraine’s terms.”
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer added his voice, saying he was “appalled at Russia’s horrific attacks on civilians in Sumy,” and reaffirmed the UK’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and civilian protection.
While efforts continue behind the scenes – including multiple meetings between US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin – Ukraine remains cautious. Kyiv has insisted that Russia is exploiting diplomatic overtures to continue its military campaign, and that any peace deal must be grounded in justice and Ukrainian sovereignty.
As global leaders intensify their calls for accountability and peace, the pressure now grows on all sides to bring an end to the bloodshed without sacrificing the values of international law and human dignity.
