Kyiv, April 14, 2025 — The Europe Today: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has extended a formal invitation to former U.S. President Donald Trump to visit Ukraine, urging him to witness firsthand the destruction caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion. The appeal was made during a televised interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes aired on Sunday.
“Please, before any kind of decisions, any kind of forms of negotiations, come to see people, civilians, warriors, hospitals, churches, children destroyed or dead,” Zelenskyy said. The Ukrainian leader expressed hope that such a visit would provide Trump with a clearer understanding of the war’s human toll and the nature of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions.
“With a visit to Ukraine, he will understand what Putin did,” Zelenskyy stated. “You will understand with whom you have a deal.”
Zelenskyy’s comments come amid intensified diplomatic activity surrounding efforts to bring the war — now in its fourth year — to an end. His remarks also follow a highly publicized confrontation at the White House in late February involving Zelenskyy, Trump, and U.S. Vice President JD Vance. During that meeting, Vance criticized Ukraine for allegedly organizing “propaganda tours” for foreign leaders to gain sympathy — an accusation Zelenskyy firmly denied.
In the CBS interview, Zelenskyy emphasized that if Trump were to accept the invitation, the Ukrainian government would not choreograph his visit.
“We will not prepare anything. It will not be theatre,” he asserted. “You can go exactly where you want, in any city which has been under attack.”
The former U.S. president has advocated for a swift resolution to the conflict, including direct negotiations between Washington and Moscow. While the United States has held discussions with both Ukraine and Russia regarding a potential truce, Russia has so far rejected proposals, including a U.S.-suggested unconditional ceasefire.
“Putin can’t be trusted. I told that to President Trump many times,” Zelenskyy said. “So, when you ask why the ceasefire isn’t working — this is why. Putin never wanted an end to the war. Putin never wanted us to be independent. Putin wants to destroy us completely — our sovereignty and our people.”
Zelenskyy expressed unwavering animosity toward the Russian leader, stating he felt “100 percent hatred” toward Putin. “How else can you see a person who came here and murdered our people, murdered children?” he asked. Nevertheless, he underscored the need to pursue peace despite his personal sentiments.
He reiterated that any lasting resolution must ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence remain intact. “A just peace,” he said, “is to not lose our sovereignty or our independence.”
Zelenskyy concluded by affirming Ukraine’s long-term objective to recover all territories currently occupied by Russia. “We, no matter what, will take back what is ours because we never lost it — the Russians took it from us.”
