Trump challenged to experience reality of war by world boxing champion

Donald Trump memorably boasted that he would end the war between Russia and Ukraine within 24 hours of becoming president, a statement which demonstrated his lack of real appreciation towards the on-going situation.

Five months on from his inauguration peace is no nearer; indeed if anything it is even further away and now one of Ukraine’s most famous citizens, unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, has offered Mr Trump the opportunity to live in his house for a week to actually experience the reality of the conflict.

Usyk’s reason for speaking out was born out of frustration and a belief that decision-makers are failing to appreciate what regular Ukrainians are going through every day and night, with barrage after barrage of drone and missile strikes.

When asked if he thought such a move would change Mr Trump’s opinion on the war the WBC, WBA and WBO heavyweight champion was non-committal, but did say he believes the president needs to live up to his campaign promise of ending the war.

Offer completely serious

Some may see it as a publicity stunt, but Usyk was deadly serious when he made the offer to the Trump administration.

The world champion said: “Only one week, I will give him my house. Live please in Ukraine and watch what is going on, every night there are bombs and flights above my house. Bombs, rockets, every night; it’s enough.”

Not being true to his promise

Usyk is passionate about his fellow citizens: “Ukrainian people are dying. It’s not just military guys, but children, women, grandmothers, grandfathers. For me it’s hard; it’s my country and I worry about what happens in my country.”

In a plea to the president of the US, Usyk said: “Donald Trump, please open your eyes, help my people.” He went on to point out what Trump had promised to stop the war and therefore in the boxer’s opinion, he was not taking responsibility for his words and questioned: “why does he speak?”

Family location a constant worry

The world champion, who has won all 23 of his professional contests and is currently in a training camp to prepare for a rematch with the UK’s Daniel Dubois on 19 July at Wembley Stadium, admits that he himself is somewhat conflicted with the troubles always at the forefront of his mind, especially as his wife and two daughters remain in the capital Kyiv, a city that is coming under increasing attack.

“It is a little difficult to balance things, but I just know that my Ukrainian people and my Ukrainian soldiers will protect them”. He explained that he is able to switch off from those thoughts and turn his focus onto the fight, reasoning with himself that he can help his country more later on.

Needs to be kept secretive

Speaking more about his offer to the US president, he reiterated that his home could be given up to Mr Trump and he would leave his large team of security guards there for the necessary reassurance. 

“I will ensure his complete safety, he can come secretly so that no one knows he has arrived.” That would not be to save the president from heavy bombardment, quite the opposite in fact. If Moscow knew he was there, Usyk said: “They stop its attacks and he will not learn”.

Settlement ransacked with many murdered 

Usyk was outside of his beloved country at the time of Putin’s illegal attack back in 2022, but soon returned and joined the Territorial Defence Forces. 

His family home in Vorzel – which is a rural settlement located within the Kyiv Oblast, a region that directly surrounds the capital city – was at one point occupied and ransacked by Russian soldiers as they rampaged through the nearby suburbs of Hostomel, Irpin and Bucha, leaving mass graves and trail of destruction. 

“Pure terrorism” taking place

With the war claiming more and more lives and getting deeper into its third year since Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused the Russian president of committing acts of “pure terrorism” following his strikes, which allegedly continue to target civilians.