Ukraine’s frontline soldiers have expressed varied responses to draft US peace proposals amid ongoing negotiations between American and Ukrainian officials aimed at refining these plans. Many soldiers communicated their feelings through social media and emails following the leaked details of the proposal. Some noted a sense of anger, defiance, and resignation towards the suggestions outlined.
The original US draft suggests Ukraine might have to relinquish control of the Donbas region, which remains a significant objective for Russia. Over the past month, Ukraine has reportedly lost approximately 450 square kilometers to Russian forces. With Kyiv maintaining control over about 15% of the Donbas—specifically, the Luhansk and Donetsk areas—soldier reactions have ranged from absolute dismissal of the proposed concessions to calls for some form of agreement.
One soldier reflected on the harsh reality of the situation, suggesting it’s time to arrive at a compromise, whereas others articulated the emotional toll such decisions would take. There are concerns about reducing the military’s strength to 600,000 personnel. This proposed limit is still above pre-war numbers but less than the current active troops, estimated at over 800,000. Opinions vary: some argue that a large military presence is necessary for national security and rebuilding, while others express the need for downsizing post-conflict.
Additionally, the proposals indicate that Ukraine must forego NATO membership and instead accept US security guarantees without any specific commitments on support detail. This aspect has stirred debate, with some soldiers emphasizing the importance of foreign military presence, while others express skepticism about Europe’s reliability and the efficacy of US assurances.
Finally, the draft includes a recommendation for Ukraine to hold fresh elections within 100 days of peace, despite the current wartime constitution barring them. Frustration with the existing government, attributed to ongoing corruption investigations, has led to a significant discussion among soldiers about the necessity for political accountability and governance reform. Overall, despite serious misgivings regarding the proposals, there is a shared desire among many to find a resolution to end the conflict.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp89e5gjykdo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss