Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has invited U.S. President Donald Trump to visit Ukraine to witness the destruction caused by Russia's military operation. The invitation was extended during an interview aired on the American television network CBS.

The interview, part of the "60 Minutes" program, was recorded before a Russian strike on Sunday that killed at least 34 people in the northeastern city of Sumy, drawing international condemnation.

In an indirect message to Trump, Zelensky said, "We want you to come and see. You think you understand what's happening here. Well, we respect your decision," adding, "But please, before making any kind of decision and before any form of negotiations, come to see the people, civilians, fighters, hospitals, churches, and children... Come and see, and then let's move forward with a plan to end the war."

Zelensky emphasized that the U.S. president "will understand what (Russian President Vladimir) Putin has done," noting that Putin "cannot be trusted." He stated, "I have said this to President Trump on several occasions (...) Putin never wanted to stop the war. He never wanted us to be independent. Putin wants to destroy us completely."

Responding to Trump's earlier remarks describing Zelensky as a "dictator" and claiming that Kyiv started the war, Zelensky expressed regret that "the Russian perspective prevails in the United States," considering it "a sign of the immense influence of Russian media policy in America."