In the wake of a devastating missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy that claimed 34 lives and injured over 100 civilians, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a direct appeal to U.S. President Donald Trump. Zelenskyy urged Trump to visit Ukraine personally to witness the destruction firsthand before engaging in any peace negotiations with Russia. Reuters+2The Guardian+2The Scottish Sun+2
The attack, which occurred on Palm Sunday, involved two Iskander-M ballistic missiles launched from Russia’s Voronezh and Kursk regions. The missiles struck the city center of Sumy, hitting civilians in the streets, vehicles, and buildings. Ukrainian officials have condemned the assault as an act of terrorism and a potential war crime. The Scottish Sun+1Reuters+1Reuters
In response, Trump described the missile strike as a “horrible mistake” but stopped short of directly blaming Russian President Vladimir Putin. He emphasized the need for an immediate ceasefire and called for negotiations to begin, stating that too many lives are being needlessly wasted. The Scottish SunThe Guardian+2The Guardian+2https://www.kplctv.com+2
Zelenskyy, however, expressed skepticism about Russia’s intentions, asserting that Putin cannot be trusted and has no interest in ending the war. He warned that unchecked Russian aggression could escalate into a global conflict and criticized U.S. politicians for being influenced by Russian propaganda. Українська правдаThe Scottish Sun
International leaders, including those from Germany, Britain, and Italy, have condemned the Sumy attack, with some labeling it a war crime. The European Union’s foreign ministers convened in Luxembourg to deliberate measures to counter Russian aggression. French President Emmanuel Macron and incoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merz decried Russia’s actions and urged greater support for Ukraine. The Scottish Sun+2Reuters+2The Guardian+2The Guardian
As the conflict continues, Zelenskyy’s plea to Trump underscores the urgency of international engagement and the complexities of negotiating peace amid ongoing hostilities.
