In a heartfelt plea to the world, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has invited former U.S. President Donald Trump to witness the devastation in his country before any decisions are made about negotiations to end the ongoing war.

"Please, before any kind of decisions, any kind of forms of negotiations, come to see people, civilians, warriors, hospitals, churches, children destroyed or dead," Zelensky said, urging global leaders to truly understand the cost of this war.

This invitation comes as Ukraine reels from another heart-wrenching missile attack on the city of Sumy on Sunday. The attack claimed the lives of 34 innocent people, including two children, and left 117 others injured. The tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the human toll this conflict has taken, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence.

Across the globe, leaders are responding to the attack with outrage and sorrow. Germany’s Chancellor-in-waiting, Friedrich Merz, condemned Russia’s actions, calling the attack a “war crime.” French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his disgust, highlighting Russia’s "blatant disregard for human lives." European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the attack "barbaric," while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer joined in condemning the assault as "horrific."

This attack marks the deadliest assault on Ukrainian civilians this year, surpassing even the devastating strike in Kryvyi Rih in April. In a statement, UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his shock and reiterated the call for an immediate end to attacks on civilians, stressing that such actions violate international humanitarian law.

As the war stretches into its fourth year, the human cost continues to mount. Over 20 million people have been displaced, with nearly seven million Ukrainians seeking refuge abroad. The death toll, already in the hundreds of thousands, includes soldiers and civilians alike.

In this heart-rending moment, Zelensky’s invitation serves as a powerful reminder that the true face of war is not found in the corridors of power but in the shattered lives of those left behind. The world can no longer afford to ignore the humanity at the heart of this conflict. The time for peace is now—before more lives are lost, and before more children, parents, and families are forever torn apart.