With key discussions about Ukraine's future taking place without representation from their government, Ukrainians grapple with their feelings of exclusion and fear for their territory as US President Trump and Russian President Putin convene.
"Ukrainians Watch in Silence: The Exclusion from Key Negotiations"
"Ukrainians Watch in Silence: The Exclusion from Key Negotiations"
As critical talks unfold in Alaska, Ukrainians express deep concern over their absence from negotiations that will impact their homeland.
Five thousand miles from Alaska, Ukrainians are watching anxiously as negotiations begin between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, discussions from which they are notably excluded. As the fate of their homeland hangs in the balance, polls indicate that around 95% of Ukrainians distrust Putin, leading to a palpable sense of skepticism regarding the talks.
For many, like Tetyana Bessonova from the eastern town of Pokrovsk, the discussions over potential "land swaps" or territorial concessions resonate deeply, threatening hopes of returning to their war-torn homes. "This is the place I was born, my homeland," said Bessonova. "These decisions might mean I could never go home again.”
Despite Trump's reassurances to European leaders that no territorial agreements would occur without Ukraine's consent, many remain wary of his unpredictability. Ukrainian MP Oleksandr Merezhko expressed fears that Trump could prioritize personal image over Ukraine's interests, potentially leading to hidden agreements that could undermine territorial integrity.
Speculation remains rife, with suggestions of various possible outcomes for the war, ranging from a freeze of current conflict lines to more drastic annexations by Russia. While a slim majority of Ukrainians support some form of compromise to conclude the war, there remains a universal demand for security guarantees from international partners.
Civilians, like sniper Volodymyr, express concerns that any agreements to freeze frontlines without tangible protections would merely prepare grounds for further Russian aggression. "A freeze would mean demobilization, and during one of these rotations the Russians could strike again," he warned.
Societal fatigue and pressure for a halt to the conflict are palpable. Luibov Nazarenko, a retired factory worker, emphasized the urgent need to prioritize human life over territorial claims. "The further it goes, the worse it becomes," she lamented, reflecting the anguish shared by many over the heavy toll of war.
As the negotiations commence in Alaska, Ukrainians concurrently celebrate the Day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, turning to prayer for hope and peace. Priest Oleksandr Beskrovniy articulated the deep injustice felt in leaving President Zelensky uninvolved in the discussions. He stressed that, above all, the plight of the people remains paramount in the midst of political maneuvers.
In these uncertain times, many Ukrainians hold onto the hope of regaining their homeland, albeit with a bitter understanding of the complexities and concessions that may lie ahead.
