Usyk Appeals to Trump for Ukraine Support, Urging Him to Witness War’s Devastation

 Oleksandr Usyk, Ukraine’s heavyweight boxing champion and a national hero, issued a poignant appeal to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, inviting him to visit Ukraine and witness the harrowing impact of Russia’s ongoing invasion.

Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv in early June 2025, Usyk, who holds the WBA, WBC, and WBO titles after defeating Tyson Fury, urged Trump to “live in his house” in Ukraine to experience the daily reality of airstrikes, displacement, and loss faced by millions. The plea, delivered with Usyk’s characteristic intensity, reflects growing anxiety in Ukraine about potential shifts in U.S. policy under Trump’s second term, particularly regarding military aid critical to Kyiv’s defense against Moscow.

Usyk, who briefly served in Ukraine’s territorial defense in 2022, shared personal stories of friends lost in Bakhmut and families displaced from Mariupol, emphasizing the war’s toll on civilians. He invited Trump to tour devastated regions like Kharkiv, where Russian shelling has destroyed schools and hospitals, and meet soldiers on the frontlines holding back advances in Donetsk.

The boxer’s appeal, broadcast to millions, underscored Ukraine’s reliance on $50 billion in U.S. aid since 2022, which has supplied HIMARS rockets and Abrams tanks. Trump, who campaigned on ending foreign conflicts, has expressed skepticism about sustained aid, prompting Usyk to highlight the stakes for global security. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy echoed Usyk’s call, offering to host Trump in Kyiv. The appeal, resonating with Ukraine’s 40 million citizens, aims to personalize the war’s urgency, as Usyk balances his boxing career with advocacy, planning a charity match to fund reconstruction efforts.