Nearly three years into Russia’s invasion, Ukrainian civilians and frontline troops increasingly seek an end to the war – but condemn peace talks that exclude their government. U.S. and Russian delegations will meet Tuesday in Saudi Arabia to negotiate terms, sparking outrage among Ukrainians fearing imposed compromises.
We are being destroyed. How can our president not be at the table?said 71-year-old Kyiv resident Lidiia Odyntsova, gesturing toward a memorial for fallen soldiers. Victims should lead these discussions.U.S. officials state any formal negotiations will involve Ukraine, but recent developments fuel distrust:
- Trump-Putin phone call abruptly changed U.S. isolation strategy
- Defense Secretary Hegseth downplayed NATO prospects and territorial recovery
- Zelenskyy dismissed talks as fruitlesswithout Ukrainian representation
Public anxiety surges as social media fills with critiques of perceived geopolitical bargaining. Many Ukrainians oppose any resolution requiring territorial concessions or failing to prevent future Russian aggression. Give Putin time to regroup, and we’ll face World War III,warned soldier Valerii Semenii during frontline deployment.
Battalion commander Oleksandr Shyrshyn emphasized Europe’s stake in lasting security frameworks: Russia threatens all neighbors. Every delay in NATO integration costs Ukrainian lives.Experts warn stalled Western aid could force Kyiv into weaker negotiation positions by late 2024.
While no immediate breakthroughs are expected from the Saudi talks, the dialogue’s framework – and Ukraine’s exclusion – signals shifting power dynamics. As civilian resilience wanes and battlefronts stagnate, pressure mounts for solutions preserving sovereignty and deterring future invasions.
