Zelensky ups pressure on Trump to visit war-torn Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is urging former President Trump to come and visit war-torn Ukraine, amid reports that Trump would pressure Ukraine to cede land to Russia if he returns to the White House.

In an interview with Axel Springer media outlets, Zelensky said Tuesday that he has privately encouraged Trump through intermediaries to visit Ukraine. Trump had expressed interest but not yet committed to visit Ukraine as it continues its war against Russia, he said.

Last March, Trump claimed he would “solve” the war in 24 hours if he was reelected but didn’t offer details. Since then, Zelensky has extended an invitation multiple times to Trump to visit Kyiv and other war sites in the country.

The Washington Post reported over the weekend that Trump has privately said he could end Russia’s war in Ukraine by pressuring Ukraine to give up territory that Russia currently occupies — such as Crimea and the Donbas border region.

Zelensky told the Axel Springer outlets he was open to hearing Trump’s proposal for the war but was highly skeptical of what he thinks he’d recommend.

“If the deal is that we just give up our territories, and that’s the idea behind it, then it’s a very primitive idea,” he said.

“I need very strong arguments. I don’t need a fantastic idea, I need a real idea, because people’s lives are at stake,” Zelensky continued.

Trump, a critic of Ukraine’s war efforts, sparked international concern earlier this year after he said he would encourage Russia to attack NATO countries that have not met their defense spending commitments. He’s long threatened for the U.S. to leave the alliance.

Zelensky’s comments come just after he said Ukraine will “lose the war” against Russia if U.S. lawmakers do not pass funding for the country. He warned that if “Ukraine loses the war, other states will be attacked.”

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) for months has said the House would consider foreign aid in due time. But the Speaker narrowed in on a schedule last weekend, announcing that the House would consider Ukraine aid “right after” the Easter recess.