Donald Trump blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for starting the war with Russia, following a massive Russian attack that killed 35 people and injured 117 others in Ukraine. Trump also shared blame with Russian President Vladimir Putin and former US President Joe Biden, saying "millions of people dead" due to the conflict.

Steve Witkoff, United States special envoy, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his advisors for five hours to discuss peace talks and a reset of relations between the two countries. Witkoff reported that progress was made during the meeting, which focused on ongoing peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, security protocols, NATO, Article V, and economic opportunities. He stated that Putin's goal is to achieve permanent peace in the region and expressed optimism about reshaping the US-Russia relationship through commercial opportunities that could bring stability to the region.

Donald Trump said Russia "made a mistake" with its ballistic missile strike on Ukraine's city of Sumy, which killed at least 34 people and injured over 100. The attack targeted a trolley bus, causing massive explosions and destruction. The US President described the war as "horrible", but did not directly blame Russia for the attack, despite his National Security Council earlier calling it a "clear and stark reminder" of why efforts to end the war are crucial.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has invited Donald Trump to visit Ukraine ahead of any deal with Russia to end the war, saying "Please, before any kind of decisions, come to see people, civilians, warriors, hospitals, churches, children destroyed or dead." This comes after a Russian missile attack on Sumy killed 34 people and injured 117 others. The US has been pursuing an end to the war through negotiation under Trump, but it remains to be seen if he will accept Zelensky's invitation.