Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed U.S. leader Donald Trump with an invitation to visit Ukraine. This call was made during an interview with CBS News, conducted in Kryvyi Rih after the tragedy on April 4, when 20 people, including nine children, were killed in a Russian attack, and dozens were injured.
This is reported by Kyiv24
The Importance of a Personal Visit
Zelensky emphasized that Trump would be a welcome guest in Ukraine, as his visit would help understand the scale of the tragedy. The President noted:
“We respect your position, but please, before any decisions, any plans regarding negotiations, come see the people, the civilians, the soldiers, the hospitals, the churches… Come, see, and then we will move forward with a plan on how to end the war. You will understand who you are dealing with. You will understand what Putin has done.”
Negotiations Between the U.S. and Russia
Donald Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One the day before, expressed the opinion that negotiations to end Russia’s war against Ukraine “might be going well.” He also noted that “there comes a moment when you either have to act or be quiet”. In recent weeks, there have been numerous meetings and phone calls between Ukraine and the U.S., as well as between Russia and the U.S., aimed at discussing the terms of a possible ceasefire.
In particular, on March 11, Ukraine expressed its readiness for a 30-day truce, which was considered by U.S. representatives. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin did not dismiss this idea but set his conditions. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met with Putin on April 11, a meeting that lasted over four hours.
Russian President’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov reported that during the negotiations, “various aspects of the Ukrainian settlement” were discussed, and the Kremlin intends to convey “the main elements of Russia’s position and concerns” directly to U.S. President Donald Trump.