Direct talks between Ukraine and Russia are set to begin, but the mood in Kyiv remains skeptical. Amidst a festive atmosphere, many Ukrainians express little faith that negotiations will change anything.
In an interview with CNN, Daniil, a 23-year-old from Odesa who works for the State Emergency Service, said, “We would very much like to see a truce, but with this enemy, there will be none.” He believes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky should take a stronger stance in negotiations.
Others are equally pessimistic. 72-year-old Liudmyla Vasiyk and 76-year-old Dina Fedina, who returned from computer literacy courses, expressed their disappointment with the prospect of talks. “Putin will not come,” said Liudmyla. “He is afraid. He wants to capture Ukraine and restore the Soviet Union.”
A Ukrainian soldier deployed in the southern Zaporizhzhia region shared similar concerns. Over a phone call with CNN, he stated that Russia would likely repeat its talking points during negotiations, defending non-existent “root causes” of the war.
Regardless of the outcome, Ukrainians are resolute in their commitment to fighting back against Russian aggression. As one soldier noted, “We carry on with our job and continue to fight.” The soldier’s position was recently shelled by Russian artillery, but he remains steadfast in his dedication to defending Ukraine.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/world/live-news/russia-ukraine-peace-talks-intl-05-16-25