Five thousand miles from Alaska, Ukrainians awaited the outcome of negotiations they weren’t invited to on Friday. Talks between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are scheduled for later, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky absent. Earlier this week, Trump hinted at possible “land swaps,” potentially implying Ukraine ceding land to Russia. Ukrainians, 95% of whom distrust Putin according to polls, view the talks with skepticism and fatigue due to the ongoing war.
“This affects me directly,” said Tetyana Bessonova, 30, from Pokrovsk, an eastern city that could be impacted if land is ceded to Russia. Despite French President Emmanuel Macron’s statement that Trump agreed with European leaders not to make territorial concessions without Ukraine’s consent, Trump’s unpredictability leaves Ukrainians apprehensive. Oleksandr Merezhko, a Ukrainian MP, expressed concern that Trump’s desire for a “deal” might lead him to make secret agreements with Russia.
Various scenarios for ending the conflict have been proposed, from freezing frontlines to Russia annexing more regions. While 54% of Ukrainians might support some compromise to end the war, they demand security guarantees; many believe merely freezing frontlines invites further Russian aggression. The sentiment resonates with soldiers like Volodymyr, a sniper, who think a ceasefire without security measures would lead to another attack.
According to Anton Grushetsky from the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, Ukrainians make tough decisions about potentially ceding control of land to Russia. The institute’s polls show that 75% oppose ceding land to Russia outright, while 25% are open to compromises due to war fatigue. Retired factory worker Luibov Nazarenko, 70, emphasized the importance of stopping the war, fearing further territorial losses and valuing life over land.
On the day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Ukrainians were praying for guidance amid the ongoing uncertainty. At St. Michael’s Monastery in Kyiv, priest Oleksandr Beskrovniy led prayers, recognizing Ukraine’s difficult position and highlighting the importance of prioritizing people over territory.