Ukraine's frontline soldiers have reacted to draft US peace proposals with a mixture of defiance, anger, and resignation. The BBC spoke to half a dozen who sent us their views via social media and email in response to the original US plan – details of which were leaked last week.
American and Ukrainian negotiators are currently working on changes to the proposals and are set to continue talks about the 'peace framework'.
Of the original US plan, Yaroslav, in eastern Ukraine, says it 'sucks… no one will support it' while an army medic with the call sign Shtutser dismissed it as an 'absolutely disgraceful draft of a peace plan, unworthy of our attention'.
But one soldier with the call sign Snake told us 'it's time to agree at least on something'.
The US put forward a draft peace proposal at a time when Russia is making significant advances on the battlefield. Over the past month, Ukraine has lost a further 450 sq km to Russia. Kyiv still controls around 15% of the Donbas region, the eastern part of Ukraine encompassing the Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts which is a key war goal for Russia. However, the original US plan proposes that Ukraine give up the entire region.
Some troops are resigned to the proposals but many remain defiant, and angry. 'Let them take it,' Snake said. 'There's practically no one left in the cities and villages… We're not fighting for the people but for the land, while losing more people.'
While some believe the proposals might be necessary, there is still a longing for solutions that wouldn't require compromising territorial integrity. The soldiers also express skepticism about future security guarantees from the US and NATO.
A proposed reduction in the size of Ukraine's armed forces from over 800,000 to 600,000 has also stirred unrest among troops, some of whom feel the army is their only defence against further aggression. Others advocate for foreign military presence to bolster security.
The call for fresh elections post-conflict stems from growing discontent with the current government's corruption scandals. Many soldiers favor this step, asserting a reset of leadership is needed for Ukraine’s recovery.
