President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has invited Donald Trump to visit the country before any agreements are reached with Russia to conclude the ongoing conflict.
“I urge you, before making any decisions or entering into negotiations, to witness firsthand the reality faced by civilians, the devastation among warriors, the conditions of hospitals, the impact on churches, and the tragic loss of children,” Zelensky stated in an interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes program.
Before the tragic missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, which resulted in the deaths of 34 individuals, including two children, and left 117 others injured, the interview was captured on tape.
Trump characterized the attack as a “horrible thing,” while Friedrich Merz, the chancellor-in-waiting of Germany, leveled accusations against Russia, labeling the actions as a war crime.
As of now, there has been no official response from Russia regarding the recent attack. Reports indicate that Russian forces near the border are gearing up for a significant offensive.
The recent attack occurred amid ongoing efforts by the United States, Ukraine’s most significant military ally, to seek a resolution to the war, which has now entered its fourth year, through negotiations led by Trump.
In response to inquiries regarding the attack, the US president described it as “terrible” and mentioned that he had been “told they made a mistake.” However, he refrained from providing further details.
In a recent statement, retired Lt-Gen Keith Kellogg, who served as Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine, condemned the attack, asserting that it had crossed “any line of decency.”
Whether Trump will respond positively to Zelensky’s invitation is yet to be determined.
Scott Bessent, the US Treasury Secretary, stands out as the sole senior member of Trump’s administration to visit Kyiv. His visit was marked by a demand for President Zelensky to endorse a contract that significantly favours Washington, facilitating the exchange of Ukraine’s mineral resources for ongoing military assistance. Zelensky declined the offer.
The president of Ukraine has underscored the ongoing assaults by Russia on civilian populations, even as Trump seeks to enhance ties with Moscow to broker a ceasefire.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff has conducted three meetings with Vladimir Putin. At the same time, Kyiv remains firm in its belief that Moscow will take advantage of this situation as it persistently encroaches on Ukraine’s territory.
Leaders across Europe have expressed strong condemnation of the recent attack in Sumy. Merz, anticipated to assume the role of Germany’s new chancellor next month, remarked to the nation’s public broadcaster ARD that the attack represented a “serious war crime.”
“It was a treacherous act, and it constitutes a serious war crime, both deliberate and intentional,” stated the conservative politician.
Outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz remarked that the attack highlighted the true value of Russia’s claimed willingness for peace.
French President Emmanuel Macron has leveled serious accusations against Russia, citing a “blatant disregard of human lives, international law, and the diplomatic efforts of President Trump.”
“Robust actions are essential to enforce a ceasefire with Russia,” he stated. France is making concerted efforts to achieve this objective, collaborating closely with its partners.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen characterized the attack as “barbaric,” asserting, “Russia was and remains the aggressor, in blatant violation of international law.” Urgent action is required to implement a ceasefire effectively. Europe is set to persist in its outreach to partners while exerting significant pressure on Russia, aiming to halt the bloodshed and establish a just and lasting peace aligned with Ukraine’s terms and conditions.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed his outrage, stating he was “appalled at Russia’s horrific attacks on civilians in Sumy.”
A representative for UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed that he was “deeply alarmed and shocked” upon receiving news of the missile attack.
He emphasized that international humanitarian law prohibits attacks on civilians and civilian objects, insisting that all such actions must cease immediately, regardless of their location.
Guterres emphasized the United Nations’ commitment to supporting significant initiatives to achieve a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace that fully respects Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.
On Sunday, a double missile strike marked the deadliest assault on civilians in Ukraine for the year.
On April 4, a Russian missile strike in the city of Kryvyi Rih resulted in the deaths of 20 individuals and left 61 others injured.
On that occasion, the Russian defence ministry reported that it had aimed at a gathering of “unit commanders and Western instructors” in a restaurant. However, there was a lack of evidence presented.
Since Russia initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, it is estimated that hundreds of thousands of individuals, predominantly soldiers, have been killed or injured across all factions involved.
According to estimates from the United Nations, approximately seven million Ukrainians are presently residing as refugees.
The origins of the conflict can be traced back over ten years, specifically to 2014, when the pro-Russian president of Ukraine was ousted from power. Following the annexation of Crimea, Russia provided support to insurgents amid the violent conflict in eastern Ukraine.
