Many Ukrainians are tired of the conflict that lasts and hopes to return to normal life, but worried about the US negotiations only create temporary peace.
After nearly three years living in fear of conflict, many Ukrainians desire to end the war. But when US President Donald Trump talked to Russian President Vladimir Putin and announced that he began to “negotiate immediately” to resolve the Ukrainian conflict, many people in the country were pessimistic about the prospect of peace. But they have long longed for.
The US and Russian delegation will meet in Saudi Arab today to discuss many issues, including Ukraine war, but Kiev was not invited to attend. This caused some Ukrainians to worry that they were being released and President Volodymyr Zelensky declared bluntly that they would not accept the negotiation results without Kiev’s participation.
“Our country has been devastated, suffering and being fighting, but our president is not invited to participate in negotiations? We should have played a major role in the negotiation process.” , Lidiia Oynttsova, a 71 -year -old Ukrainian woman.
Standing next to Ukrainian troops in the conflict in Kiev, she said with red eyes that would “not forgive” to those who attacked Ukraine.
US State Department spokesman Tammy Bruce reassured that the meeting between the US -Russia delegation in Arab Saudi should not be considered a “negotiation” about Ukraine. He declared any real peace negotiations that will only take place when Ukraine participates.
However, President Zelensky said that the United States “is just saying things that are beneficial to Putin because he wants to make him satisfied, want to meet each other quickly and achieve achievements”.
According to Zelensky, the immediate goal that the US and Russia is aiming for is a “mere ceasefire”, maybe by Ukraine to make concessions of the territory and do not have any security for Kiev. “That cannot be considered as achievements,” the President of Ukraine emphasized.
Many Ukrainians are also concerned about watching a series of recent developments related to US -Russia negotiations. Ukraine media filled the posts that reflect insecurity, while many people constantly check their phones to update new news.
Ukrainian soldiers opened up the Russian army near ChaSov Yar, Donetsk on February 15. Image: AP
After the Trump – Putin Defense Defense, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that admitting Ukraine into NATO and the ambition to regain the entire territory of Kiev was “unrealistic”. This signals the US stance of a potential peace solution closer to Russia’s goal of preventing Ukraine from joining NATO and maintaining control of the merged territories.
When Russia was dominating on the battlefield, Ukraine faced the difficult position and Mr. Hegseth’s comments were pouring cold water into two important aspirations of Ukraine, which Mr. Zelensky function to achieve.
“If tomorrow Ukraine is accepted to join the European Union (EU), NATO, if the Russian army retreats and we receive security guarantee, I will no longer need it anymore,” he said.
Although many Ukrainians support ceasefire, ending the fight, they also admit that it does not mean to accept the harm to people living in the territories that Russia controls or is at risk of Moscow merged in the future. hybrid.
Speaking in the program Sunday Morning Futures Fox News recently, American special envoy Steve Witkoff did not directly answer the question of whether Ukraine had to give up “a significant part” territory.
“I do not deny that there will be very important terms. But I think the beginning should be building trust,” he said.
The effort to promote Mr. Trump’s negotiations is pushing Mr. Zelensky into a difficult diplomatic situation, when the most important support of Ukraine now sought to end the conflict without discussing in advance with Kiev on the roadmap of implementation. .
Zelensky said he would come to Riyadh to officially visit Saudi Arabia on February 19 as planned. Ukrainian president said he would ask Saudi leaders what they knew about the US -Russian talks “just for caring”.
Valerii Semenii, 59 years old and is participating in the Ukrainian armed forces, saying he is afraid the worst script will come.
“Mr. Trump does not understand much about history. Today he can accept the postponement, but the future will lead to a greater risk of conflict. I can’t say anything else about this negotiation,”, “said greater conflict.” Semenii said.
That mood reflects the fear of many people and Ukrainian officials. They believe that if the US -Russia negotiates only bring a ceasefire agreement without creating long -term security architecture will be a temporary and ineffective peace. They think this only allows Russia to have more time to consolidate forces and launch a new war both in Ukraine and many other areas.
Oleksandr Shyrshyn, commander of the battalion fighting in Kursk, where the Ukrainian army launched the attack last summer, saying that European countries also had to participate in negotiations “because we see, all Europe are all afraid of Russia and they don’t want to repeat the same script. “
The Ukrainian Battalion Commander believes that Kiev will achieve both aspirations, including regaining the territory that Russia controls and joins NATO, if the Trump administration “supports us with all their strength”.
“If the United States is not willing to support, we will have more deaths, more heavier losses. But we will continue to fight, because it is our survival,” he said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky listened to US Vice President JD Vance during the talks on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on February 14. Image: AFP
If any agreement between Moscow and Washington demands a significant concession from President Zelensky, he will face great pressure in the country to continue fighting even when the United States withdraws.
Ukraine relies on military aid from the West, especially the US, during three years of conflict. In the recent interview with NBC NewsMr. Zelensky admitted that without support from the United States, “Ukraine’s chances of survival were very low”.
The problem with Mr. Zlensky now is that Europe is not able to fill the military aid gap from the US or can offer reliable security for Ukraine.
“Europeans have to do something for themselves before Zelensky can do anything,” Leo Litra, a member at the European Foreign Affairs Council.
He added that Europe is facing many difficulties in producing some important weapons, including modern air defense systems.
Keith Kellogg, a special envoy of Mr. Trump’s Ukraine, is expected to visit Kiev in the coming days. Zelensky hoped Kellogg would go to the front and meet the commanders and soldiers.
“It is important that he understands everything to be able to convey the situation here to the White House,” the Ukrainian leader said.