Peace conversations are in parallel universe, say the top -line of Ukraine

While Moscow considers the temporary fire a high, its military machine continues to press its advantage in the front line. Diplomatic negotiations can be slow and difficult. But on the battlefield, they can be measured in lost lives.

In a military hospital in eastern Ukraine, the injured arrive by ambulance in waves. Here, there is an obvious disconnection between the diplomacy that takes place, far from the struggle and the brutality of the battle, where human bodies are still being broken, destroyed and marked by bombs and bullets.

We observe two other dozen wounded Ukrainian soldiers who are loaded on a bus to be taken to a hospital in Dnipro, some who walk injured, others wore stretchers. The bus is equipped with medical equipment to monitor the injured, as they are quickly driven on the bump roads.

Men on board are the least seriously injured. Most have been beaten by shrapnel. The cause is often what is now the most prolific and feared weapon in the front line: drones.

None of those who talk to believe that this war will end soon. Maksym, thirty, is on a stretcher with an intravenous drip to relieve part of the pain of several shrapnel wounds in his body. He says that he had heard the talk of a high temporary fire of 30 days, but adds: “I consider that Putin a murderer and the murderers do not agree so easily.”

Vova, who is sitting close, says: “I don’t think so.” He says that near the besieged city of Pokrovsk, they faced Russian storm attacks every day. “I doubt that there is a truce,” he tells me.

Another soldier named Maksym says that this is the second time he has been injured. “I don’t think there is a high fire,” he says. “I had many friends who are no longer with us.

“I would like to believe that everything will be good. But you can’t trust Russia. Never.”

The great medical bus is operated by the medical battalion of the voluntary army of Ukraine, known as the Hospitals. Dozens of injured soldiers transport every day.

Sofiia, a 22 -year -old medicine student, has been working with the team during the last 18 months. She is also skeptical about the possibilities of a high fire: “I can’t believe it, but I would really want it to happen,” he says.

She tells me that when she first listened to the news that the United States and Ukraine had agreed to press for a high fire, Russian drones flew on their base, being hired by Ukrainian air defenses. For her, talking about peace is from a parallel universe.

Sofiia says that “at least it is good that Ukraine and America are talking again.” But as for the hopes of any high fire, the recent past points out.

“Looking at all the calls of high the fire we had in the past, those did not work. How will this work?” She asks.

His medical partner, Daniel, joined the hospitals from Sweden. He says he understands how it is when a smaller nation is attacked by his giant neighbor. His grandfather fought Finland against Russia during World War II. The story tells.

When Daniel first arrived at Ukraine, he used to ask wounded soldiers what they would do after the war. No more. “Nobody wants to answer that,” he says, “because they don’t want to be disappointed. They don’t dare to wait.”

Daniel does not rule out the fire. But he adds: “You can’t trust that Putin does anything that is not beneficial for Putin.”

Ukraine has a lot of bitter experience of negotiating with Russia. France and Germany negotiated the cessation in 2014 and 2015, when the forces backed by Russia first took parts of eastern Ukraine and Crimea. They did not work. Nor did they dissuade Russia to carry out their large -scale invasion of Ukraine eight years later.

He may have talked about peace, but the men of the 67th Brigade of Ukraine are still preparing for war. We observe while rehearsing their exercises to evacuate a wounded soldier under fire. Most have really had to do it.

In the distance, we can listen to the rumble of artillery. It is just 10 miles to the first line where they will soon return.

They have heard few positive news in recent days. The Ukrainian forces are being invaded in Kursk. In August of last year, that offensive surprise in the Russian territory seemed a movement of tactical brilliance: increase morality. He is now in danger of becoming a great strategic setback.

Kursk is soon no longer a negotiation chip for future negotiations, but a heavy load, with the loss of precious Ukrainian equipment and life.

One of the few positive aspects is that the United States resume their military support. That is important for the 67th Brigade, which operate teams made by Americans. They are carrying out their exercises with a MaxxPro armored vehicle supplied by the United States.

Ivan, the driver, who uses a small American patch in his uniform, says that relieved Trump administration now agreed to reverse the block. Your vehicle needs regular repairs. “I would like them to continue helping,” he says.

But Ivan is not still sure if President Trump can be trusted.

“I have doubts,” he says. As for trusting President Putin, he replies: “No. never.” Here, even a high temporary fire feels very far.