Zelensky said he was not invited to Trump's inauguration

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose powers expired on May 20, was not invited to the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump. This was announced by the Ukrainian leader on January 5 in an interview with journalist Lex Friedman, which was published on his YouTube channel.

"Honestly, I can not come like this, during hostilities, because President Trump did not directly invite me," - said Zelensky.

The journalist also asked the Ukrainian president about plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump in January. In response, Zelensky said he wanted to first meet privately with the American President-elect.

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Earlier in the day it was reported that the deputy of the Verkhovna Rada Oleksandr Dubinsky ironized over Zelensky, who did not receive an invitation to Trump's inauguration. As emphasized by the people's elected representative, Trump said that he did not want to see a Ukrainian colleague at the most solemn event.

Before that, on December 17 last year, political scientist Ivan Mezyukho in a conversation with Izvestia said that Trump humiliated Zelensky, saying that he did not invite him to his inauguration, but he could come. The corresponding statement was made by Trump a day earlier at a press conference at the Mar-a-Lago residence. Zelensky, emphasized Meziucho, is in an extremely difficult position, so by all rights and wrongs will try to earn trust from Trump.

Also on this day, Irish journalist Chay Bose said that Trump had struck a blow against Zelensky by not inviting him to the inauguration. He called the move "the hardest blow to the teeth" of the Ukrainian president.

On December 11, 2024, CBS News reported, citing sources, that Trump had invited Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to his inauguration. Journalists then clarified that a delegation would attend Trump's inauguration instead of the Chinese leader. The Chinese ambassador to Washington and his wife are expected to attend the event.

The election of the 47th president of the United States was held on November 5. In the popular vote, Trump received 51% of the vote, while Democratic candidate Kamala Harris received 47.4%. Later, Trump, speaking to supporters, called himself the 47th president of the United States and said that his goal as head of state considers the end of military conflicts in the world.