Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky has invited Donald Trump to visit Ukraine before considering any peace deal with Russia to end the war.
In an interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes, recorded before Russia’s deadly missile strike on Sumy, Zelensky urged the former US president to witness the war’s devastation firsthand. “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 Sumy attack, which struck the city center on Sunday, killed 34 people and injured 117 others. Among the victims were at least two children. It was the deadliest civilian strike in Ukraine this year.
Trump called the attack a “horrible thing.” His special envoy to Ukraine, retired Lt-Gen Keith Kellogg, said it crossed “any line of decency.”
Germany’s incoming chancellor, Friedrich Merz, strongly condemned the strike, calling it a deliberate act and a “serious war crime.” Outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the incident exposed the true worth of Russia’s peace claims.
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French President Emmanuel Macron stressed the need for urgent international action, saying Russia was showing “blatant disregard” for human lives and diplomatic efforts. He affirmed France’s commitment to imposing a ceasefire, alongside allies.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the strike as “barbaric” and called for continued pressure on Russia to bring the war to an end. “Europe will maintain strong pressure until a just and lasting peace is achieved, on Ukraine’s terms,” she said.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also condemned the attack, saying he was “appalled at Russia’s horrific attacks on civilians.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed shock at the strike, reiterating that attacks on civilians violate international humanitarian law and must stop immediately.
The war, now in its fourth year, has displaced millions and left hundreds of thousands dead or injured. Despite renewed diplomatic efforts, Sunday’s strike underlines the continuing cost of the conflict.
NAN
