From: New Voice of Ukraine 🇺🇦
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has invited U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to visit Ukraine, saying firsthand experience is the only way to fully grasp the impact of Russia’s aggression. Zelenskyy made the statement in an interview with The Associated Press on Jan. 2.
Zelenskyy was responding to recent remarks by Rubio, who claimed that Ukraine is being “set back 100 years,” that its energy system is in ruins, and that someone will have to pay for its reconstruction.
The secretary of state also pointed to the large number of Ukrainians who have left the country since the full-scale invasion began.
“They may never return. This is their future, and in that regard, it is at risk,” Rubio said.
Zelenskyy urged Rubio to visit Ukraine to witness both the devastation caused by Russia and the resilience of the Ukrainian people.
Read also: US will not abandon Ukraine, Rubio tells Italian FM
“Rubio needs to come to Ukraine, first and foremost, to see what Russia has done,” Zelenskyy said. “But also to see what the Ukrainian people have achieved—what they’ve managed to do for Ukraine’s security and for the world, as I’ve said before—and just to talk to these people.”
Rubio also said neither Ukraine nor Russia is likely to achieve their “maximalist goals” in the war and that negotiations will be necessary to end the fighting.
Read also: U.S. State Secretary criticizes Biden’s Ukraine strategy, calls for peace talks
Voice of Ukraine 