04:34Residents of Kiev shared mixed views on the potential for peace talks to end the conflict between Ukraine and Russia on Thursday.
Some dismissed the idea that negotiations could make a breakthrough, noting that 'military means' were the only way forward. Others backed dialogue, stating that talks could ‘save lives’ but only if Ukraine could retain the territories it is fighting for so that 'our soldiers did not die in vain'.
Footage shows locals placing flowers in front of the memorial to fallen soldiers on Maidan Nezalezhnosti Square, with thousands of Ukrainian flags set in front of the Independence Monument.
"Of course, they [Russian troops] must be removed, so that there is no military presence," said Kiev local Anna. "I think peace will only be resolved by military means," she added.
"What negotiations can there be? The enemy must be defeated and forced to flee," said local Andryi. "I think he [Volodymyr Zelensky] will [achieve peace]. We believe in him," he added.
Eugeny, originally from the disputed Donbass area, explained that he would be willing for Ukraine to agree to cede territory to Russia 'as long as the war ends, and never comes back'.
"So that Ukrainians do not die, I am ready to give everything I have there in Donbass to the hands of the occupiers. Let it be so. Let them own it and be damned there," he explained while expressing doubt that peace could be negotiated because 'they will not leave'.
Asked about a potential return for Donald Trump to the US presidency, Eugeny said the former president is an ‘unpredictable man’ who might force Ukraine to make peace, or even decide to launch an attack on Russia, including with nuclear weapons.
Others explained that they believe years of fighting have lessened the chances for a negotiated settlement while acknowledging the possible danger of continuing the armed conflict with Russia.
"This is a very controversial issue. It probably is, because there are so many crippled destinies, so many families [affected]. I personally have a lot of acquaintances and relatives who are fighting," said Julia. "We need the 1991 borders and that's it," she continued, before adding that "If aid to Ukraine decreases, there will be trouble."
"This is such a conflicting issue. I am somehow inclined to negotiate, to save lives, but on the other hand, I understand how those who have already died, how their parents, women and children would feel that they fought and then we gave away these territories," said another local, Lydia.
Moscow launched a military offensive in Ukraine in late February 2022 after recognising the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR), claiming that Kiev had failed to guarantee their special status under the 2014 Minsk Agreements, and urging Ukraine to declare itself officially neutral and give assurances that it would never join NATO.
Kiev denounced the Russian action as an invasion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky imposed martial law throughout the country, announcing a general mobilisation, while the EU and the US imposed several rounds of sanctions on Moscow.
'Not if territory must be given up' - Kiev locals discuss potential for peace at memorial for fallen soldiers
Residents of Kiev shared mixed views on the potential for peace talks to end the conflict between Ukraine and Russia on Thursday.
Some dismissed the idea that negotiations could make a breakthrough, noting that 'military means' were the only way forward. Others backed dialogue, stating that talks could ‘save lives’ but only if Ukraine could retain the territories it is fighting for so that 'our soldiers did not die in vain'.
Footage shows locals placing flowers in front of the memorial to fallen soldiers on Maidan Nezalezhnosti Square, with thousands of Ukrainian flags set in front of the Independence Monument.
"Of course, they [Russian troops] must be removed, so that there is no military presence," said Kiev local Anna. "I think peace will only be resolved by military means," she added.
"What negotiations can there be? The enemy must be defeated and forced to flee," said local Andryi. "I think he [Volodymyr Zelensky] will [achieve peace]. We believe in him," he added.
Eugeny, originally from the disputed Donbass area, explained that he would be willing for Ukraine to agree to cede territory to Russia 'as long as the war ends, and never comes back'.
"So that Ukrainians do not die, I am ready to give everything I have there in Donbass to the hands of the occupiers. Let it be so. Let them own it and be damned there," he explained while expressing doubt that peace could be negotiated because 'they will not leave'.
Asked about a potential return for Donald Trump to the US presidency, Eugeny said the former president is an ‘unpredictable man’ who might force Ukraine to make peace, or even decide to launch an attack on Russia, including with nuclear weapons.
Others explained that they believe years of fighting have lessened the chances for a negotiated settlement while acknowledging the possible danger of continuing the armed conflict with Russia.
"This is a very controversial issue. It probably is, because there are so many crippled destinies, so many families [affected]. I personally have a lot of acquaintances and relatives who are fighting," said Julia. "We need the 1991 borders and that's it," she continued, before adding that "If aid to Ukraine decreases, there will be trouble."
"This is such a conflicting issue. I am somehow inclined to negotiate, to save lives, but on the other hand, I understand how those who have already died, how their parents, women and children would feel that they fought and then we gave away these territories," said another local, Lydia.
Moscow launched a military offensive in Ukraine in late February 2022 after recognising the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR), claiming that Kiev had failed to guarantee their special status under the 2014 Minsk Agreements, and urging Ukraine to declare itself officially neutral and give assurances that it would never join NATO.
Kiev denounced the Russian action as an invasion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky imposed martial law throughout the country, announcing a general mobilisation, while the EU and the US imposed several rounds of sanctions on Moscow.
Residents of Kiev shared mixed views on the potential for peace talks to end the conflict between Ukraine and Russia on Thursday.
Some dismissed the idea that negotiations could make a breakthrough, noting that 'military means' were the only way forward. Others backed dialogue, stating that talks could ‘save lives’ but only if Ukraine could retain the territories it is fighting for so that 'our soldiers did not die in vain'.
Footage shows locals placing flowers in front of the memorial to fallen soldiers on Maidan Nezalezhnosti Square, with thousands of Ukrainian flags set in front of the Independence Monument.
"Of course, they [Russian troops] must be removed, so that there is no military presence," said Kiev local Anna. "I think peace will only be resolved by military means," she added.
"What negotiations can there be? The enemy must be defeated and forced to flee," said local Andryi. "I think he [Volodymyr Zelensky] will [achieve peace]. We believe in him," he added.
Eugeny, originally from the disputed Donbass area, explained that he would be willing for Ukraine to agree to cede territory to Russia 'as long as the war ends, and never comes back'.
"So that Ukrainians do not die, I am ready to give everything I have there in Donbass to the hands of the occupiers. Let it be so. Let them own it and be damned there," he explained while expressing doubt that peace could be negotiated because 'they will not leave'.
Asked about a potential return for Donald Trump to the US presidency, Eugeny said the former president is an ‘unpredictable man’ who might force Ukraine to make peace, or even decide to launch an attack on Russia, including with nuclear weapons.
Others explained that they believe years of fighting have lessened the chances for a negotiated settlement while acknowledging the possible danger of continuing the armed conflict with Russia.
"This is a very controversial issue. It probably is, because there are so many crippled destinies, so many families [affected]. I personally have a lot of acquaintances and relatives who are fighting," said Julia. "We need the 1991 borders and that's it," she continued, before adding that "If aid to Ukraine decreases, there will be trouble."
"This is such a conflicting issue. I am somehow inclined to negotiate, to save lives, but on the other hand, I understand how those who have already died, how their parents, women and children would feel that they fought and then we gave away these territories," said another local, Lydia.
Moscow launched a military offensive in Ukraine in late February 2022 after recognising the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR), claiming that Kiev had failed to guarantee their special status under the 2014 Minsk Agreements, and urging Ukraine to declare itself officially neutral and give assurances that it would never join NATO.
Kiev denounced the Russian action as an invasion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky imposed martial law throughout the country, announcing a general mobilisation, while the EU and the US imposed several rounds of sanctions on Moscow.