Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has extended an open invitation to ex-U.S. President Donald Trump to visit Ukraine. Trump to see the destruction wrought by Russia’s invasion firsthand – much of which he’s enabled. Zelenskyy was insistent that the trip not be a photo op. In addition, he promised that Trump would be allowed to visit wheresoever triple the Russian bombardment had pocked the Ukrainian countryside all you wanted.
Zelenskyy’s invitation comes amidst ongoing discussions regarding a resolution to the conflict, which has seen Trump’s diplomatic efforts stall. Finally, he felt that a personal visit would give Trump a better sense of the impact of the war on the ground in Ukraine.
“Come, look, and then let’s — let’s move with a plan how to finish the war,” – Volodymyr Zelenskyy
This fragile ceasefire, which the U.S. helped broker, has now expired—after numerous Kremlin violations of course. Even under Trump—who repeatedly sought to negotiate an end to that conflict—such efforts have mainly failed. Steve Witkoff’s recent trip to Russia for a meeting with President Vladimir Putin further complicated matters when Putin rejected proposals for a full ceasefire. Rather, he insisted on sweeping concessions from Ukraine as a condition for any deal.
Zelenskyy is right that an on-the-ground experience would enlighten Trump’s understanding of this conflict and its deadly consequences for so many innocent civilians. He implored Trump to see the human cost of the war before negotiating a peace and making a possible settlement.
“You think you understand what’s going on here. OK, we respect your position … But, please, before any kind of decisions, any kind of forms of negotiations, come to see people, civilians, warriors, hospitals, churches, children destroyed or dead,” – Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Trump has referred to the recent violence as a “horrible” accident. He has provided no actual proof of his assertion. Yet his remarks embody a much wider lament over the nature of the current, endless war.
“I think it was terrible, and I was told they [Russia] made a mistake,” – Donald Trump
“I think it’s a horrible thing. I think the whole war is a horrible thing.” – Donald Trump
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