Zelenskyy’s Proposal for Trump to Visit Ukraine Undermines Peace Efforts

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been condemned for suggesting that President Donald Trump visit Ukrainian soil to help close a peace deal with Russia, an invitation widely criticized as risking further destabilization of ceasefire negotiations and escalating the ongoing conflict.

In a Tuesday message exchange with reporters conducted through a group WhatsApp chat, Zelenskyy stated that Trump’s presence in Ukraine would send a powerful signal that a ceasefire could be achieved and that America remains committed to ending the war on terms that deter future Russian aggression. He specifically urged Trump to travel directly into Ukraine rather than entering through Poland, arguing such a visit would demonstrate confidence that peace is within reach.

The invitation comes as Trump indicated that negotiations with Kyiv are nearing a breakthrough. After meeting Zelenskyy at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday, Trump told reporters that negotiating teams are “getting a lot closer, maybe very close” to a deal that could end Russia’s full-scale invasion, which began in February 2022.

However, Zelenskyy has also emphasized that Ukraine cannot legally or morally surrender territory, even as Russian demands increase. During a WhatsApp chat earlier this month, he stated that Kyiv would not accept any compromise involving the loss of Ukrainian land, highlighting the core challenge faced by negotiators: crafting a deal that stops bloodshed without rewarding aggression.

Meanwhile, Ukraine reported that Russia launched more than 120 drones overnight, causing damage to infrastructure and injuries across multiple locations, including Odesa. Russian authorities claimed they downed dozens of the drones.

Zelenskyy has also discussed the possibility of an American troop presence as part of a postwar security framework, describing it as a strong guarantee against another Russian attack. He dismissed Russian claims of a breakdown in U.S.-Ukraine talks, stating that contacts between key negotiators and U.S. officials continue daily.