Military at the front wants talks with Russia, Ukrainian society is “exhausted”
Returning home from the US, Zelenskyy faces Russian advances, an exhausted society and the prospect of winter energy shortages
Once buoyed by hopes of liberating their lands, even soldiers at the front now voice a desire for negotiations with Russia to end the war. Yuriy, another commander on the eastern front who gave only his first name, says he fears the prospect of a “forever war”.
“I am for negotiations now,” he adds, expressing his concern that his son — also a soldier — could spend much of his life fighting and that his grandson might one day inherit an endless conflict.
I’m not. If they want to cut their losses and hope for the best, more power to them. If they don’t, also more power to them. But don’t go pretending negotiations with Russia are some magic solution that will solve everything. These people are forced to choose between attempting to fight off a seemingly unbeatable aggressor or submitting to said aggressor, and neither is particularly attractive.
So first, reported for incivility. Second, I’m not American or European or whatever you thought I am just now. I don’t have a horse in this race.