"You will understand what Putin has done", it's a "war crime"

"Come and see" the war in Ukraine... That’s Zelensky's call to Trump. An invitation broadcasted in an interview recorded before the Russian attack on Sumy on Sunday, 13th April. A call even more audible in the face of outrage.

"I was told they made a mistake. But I think it's a horrible thing." This is part of Donald Trump's brief reaction after the Russian ballistic missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy on 13th April 2024. A double attack, the second missile hitting the same neighbourhood as the first while rescue operations were already underway. At least 34 people were killed, including 2 children, and at least 117 were injured, including 15 children. Civilians, most of whom were celebrating Palm Sunday in this city near the Russian border and Kursk. A strike that outrages the world and will certainly drive Ukraine to retaliate. We are far from a ceasefire despite promises from Putin and Trump.

Horrible

The US special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, deemed the strike "unacceptable". Without incriminating Russia, Brian Hughes, the spokesperson for the US National Security Council (NSC), specified that "the missile attack on Sumy is a clear and stark reminder of why President Donald Trump's efforts to try to end this terrible war come at a crucial time". A relatively muted response compared to the reactions of other countries and the near-unanimous condemnation of this attack. Thus, António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), expressed that he was "deeply alarmed" and "shocked". The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, called the Russian attack on Sumy "barbaric". Frédéric Merz, who is expected to be the future German Chancellor, didn't mince his words: "It's a serious, deliberate, and intended war crime." In Italy, Giorgia Meloni was outraged at this "horrible and cowardly" attack.

France and the United Kingdom

While France and the United Kingdom conduct a naval air training operation in the Black Sea, Putin's domain, French President Emmanuel Macron didn't mince his words: "Everyone knows this war was desired by Russia alone. Today, it's clear that it's Russia alone choosing to pursue it." He now seeks "strong measures." On the British side, Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed "dismay". This reflects the indignation of European countries allied with Ukraine. A Europe in which even the United Kingdom seems increasingly aligned against Putin. This explains the military rapprochement and current exercises between French and British military forces, while the United States appears to want to repatriate some of its NATO troops from European soil, particularly in Poland!

Come along!

Donald Trump's lack of firm support to defend Ukraine and his desire to turn it into a commercial deal is increasingly irritating. Yet, Volodymyr Zelensky doesn't break off dialogue. However, he wants more leverage by inviting the occupant of the White House to come to Ukraine. An invitation he extended on CBS television in an interview broadcast on Sunday but recorded before the Sumy attack. Nevertheless, his words resonate even more now. He implied that Donald Trump had a biased view of the Ukrainian situation: "We want you to come and see. You think you understand what is happening here. Very well, we respect your decision. […] But please, before making any decisions, before any form of negotiation, come and see the people, the civilians, the fighters, the hospitals, the churches, the children, destroyed or dead. Come, see, and then let's proceed with a plan to end the war." He further commented, "You will understand what Putin has done", reminding that the Kremlin's chief is not "trustworthy".

(MH with Olivier Duquesne – Sources: Le Soir, Le Monde & RTBF with AFP – Picture: © picture alliance / newscom | Ukrainian Emergency Service)