Ukraine feels abandoned as Trump and Putin negotiate peace
Young residents of Ukraine express outrage following information from the USA concerning peace negotiations. "I have no doubt that if Putin is allowed to occupy Ukraine, he will exploit our resources and within a few years go to war with NATO," says Maria Shevtsiv, a resident of Lviv, to Wirtualna Polska.
On 12 February 2025, US President Donald Trump announced a "long and very productive" phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Both leaders agreed to immediately begin negotiations aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine.
After speaking with Putin, President Trump contacted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The conversation lasted about an hour and concerned the possibility of achieving peace and cooperation through working teams. Zelenskyy emphasised Ukraine's readiness to cooperate with the USA in the pursuit of peace.
In commentators' view, the US President focused, however, on conditions mainly favourable to Russia. We discuss the reactions to these events with Ukrainians who, despite the war, have not left the country.
Ukrainians feel "betrayed"
- Yesterday's news from the USA was received with deep concern. Many Ukrainians feel betrayed by one of our key allies, who once guaranteed us security in exchange for nuclear weapons - says Maria Shevtsiv, who hails from Lviv, to Wirtualna Polska.
- President Trump's statements about Putin and Russia, his distorted understanding of World War II history, and the choice of a candidate for state intelligence chief are not only outrageous but also raise serious concerns - emphasises Maria. The US Senate voted on Wednesday to confirm Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence. Her candidacy caused much controversy on both sides of the American political scene due to statements favourable to Russia.
As our interlocutor adds, "particularly troubling is the fact that Ukraine is effectively excluded from the context of negotiations." - In such conditions, it's hard to talk about our future security. I have no doubt that if Putin is allowed to occupy Ukraine, he will exploit our resources and within a few years go to war with NATO - believes Maria.
What future awaits Ukraine? "Does the world not remember Bucha?"
Similar reflections are shared with us by Oleksandra Chalenochka, a 29-year-old resident of Kyiv and mother of three-year-old Valeria. From the start of the war, she knew she wouldn't leave Ukraine. - We really believe that we can win this war. I believe it can end well - she said a year after the Russian invasion began.
Now, as we talk again, she admits that optimism faded in Ukrainians month by month, week by week. - Yesterday, it was completely subdued - she assesses bitterly.
- This peace plan completely ignores Ukraine, ignores what we've been fighting for in recent years. If Trump is such a great businessman as he claims, he should also take care of our interests. It now turns out, however, that he never considered Ukraine. He went and gave Putin what he wanted from the beginning - emphasises Oleksandra.
She claims that Trump played the negotiations so that now Russia enters the game "in a winning position". - It's a pity that we sacrificed so much as a country for everything to have to end this way. Each of us has among distant or close relatives someone who died on the front. Does the world not see these deaths anymore? Does it not remember about Bucha? - Oleksandra wonders.
"This is the first step to a war against NATO"
Rita's 31-year-old partner was one of the first soldiers fighting on the front. After completing service, the couple bought a flat in Kyiv. A year later, their son Max was born. - Neither at the beginning of the war nor in the following years did we discuss whether to leave Ukraine. We spoke about it for the first time yesterday - Rita tells us.
- None of us have any doubt that "peace" on such terms will only strengthen Putin. This is the first step to war against the whole of NATO. Europe seems not to notice this - claims Rita.
- We are very concerned. Since 2014, we have become accustomed to war. The current situation has made us lost. I really never seriously considered emigration before - she adds. In her view, Europe might pay a very high price if it doesn't immediately side with Kyiv. - No one knows as well as we do what Putin is capable of - Rita concludes.
