**Ukrainian Soldiers Speak Out Against “Farce” of Peace Talks**
The recent peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow have ended with Russia once again rejecting an unconditional 30-day ceasefire. But what do Ukrainian soldiers on the ground think about these negotiations? For them, it’s all a smokescreen.
“I personally think it’s all a farce,” said Ihor, a soldier serving since 2020 and currently fighting in the east of Ukraine. “Even if the full-fledged negotiations take place, even if they agree on something, and even if 30 days of ‘peace’ really happen, it’s all just a smokescreen.”
Ukrainian soldiers say that Russia’s ongoing advances on the battlefield have given them little reason to believe in these talks. “The enemy does not need negotiations, because it is managing to advance,” said Ihor. “Even with this human toll, the enemy manages to build up reserves, both human and arms, and expand (military) production, which are also not signs that someone is planning to stop.”
**Russia’s Demands a Non-Starter**
Ukraine continues to insist on a ceasefire, supported by the U.S. and Europe, saying that a halt to active warfare must come before any real peace talks are possible. Russia has so far rejected a truce four times – on March 11, March 25, May 11, and the most recent one on May 16 in Istanbul.
But even if the main objective of the talks was not achieved, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov told reporters after the talks that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a prisoners of war (POWs) exchange on a 1,000-for-1,000 basis in the near future. If it takes place, it will be by far the biggest prisoner exchange between two countries.
**Soldiers Unimpressed**
Ukrainian soldiers say they are not impressed with the talks and are focused on continuing to fight against Russia’s aggression. “There is no point in negotiating,” said Bart, a Special Forces sniper fighting near Pokrovsk. “The only thing (Russians) understand is force.”
“We will continue to destroy them,” added Petro Kuzyk, a battalion commander with the National Guard.
**A Step Towards Progress?**
However, some experts believe that the prisoner exchange could be a step towards further progress in the peace talks. Lieutenant Colonel Bohdan Krotevych, former commander of Ukraine’s Azov Brigade and one of the most vocal critics of the country’s military leadership, praised Zelensky’s clear show of interest in the talks “despite Russia’s (ongoing) sabotage.”
“The Russian delegation tried to take a position where they could dictate terms,” Krotevych told the Kyiv Independent. “But as far as I know, our delegation, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, quickly put them in their place.”
Krotevych said that he fully supports the delegation’s position that returning Ukrainian POWs is one of the key priorities.
If the 1,000-on-1,000 POWs exchange will take place, it could help achieve further progress in the peace talks, such as a meeting between Zelensky and Putin, mediated by Trump, Krotevych said.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
