Zelenskyy urges Trump to visit Ukraine and see war’s destruction firsthand

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has invited US President Donald Trump to visit Ukraine before making decisions or plans regarding ceasefire talks in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy said in an interview with CBS News he would be glad to welcome Trump to Ukraine so that he could "understand what's going on here".

"We respect your position. But, please, before any kind of decisions, any kind of plans for negotiations, come to see the people, civilians, warriors, hospitals, churches, children destroyed or dead," Zelenskyy said.

"Come, look, and then let's move with a plan on how to finish the war. You will understand with whom you have a deal. You will understand what Putin did," he added.

On 13 April, Zelenskyy stated that the international community is failing to exert sufficient pressure on Russia, allowing it to continue attacking Ukrainian cities without fear.

On 12 April, Trump said that, in his view, talks to end the war in Ukraine are progressing well, but stressed that "there's a point at which you just have to either put up or shut up".