The people on the front about the expectations from the Trump-Putin meeting today: “With the price of our lives” / “We know that we will not be able to reach the borders before” / What will happen on December 10, 2025

The place where the possible and the hypothetical are immediately revealed is the fight, the trenches, the front. Here, expectations are realistic. That is why, on the eve of the meeting between leaders Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, Hotnews correspondent in the Republic of Moldova, journalist Oxana Bodnar, discussed with several Ukrainian soldiers, through messaging applications.

I asked the military of Ukraine who think about the prospects of the conclusion of the war, about a possible exchange of territories and on whose points Ukraine should insist.

Lieutenant-Colonel Denis Iaroslavchi, Kharkov: “Yes, of course, we understand that even on the borders of 2022 we will not be able to reach”

Denis Iaroslavchi, Lieutenant-Colonel of Ukraine's armed forces, research commander, the Kharkov front said:

“To try to be concise. There is no military today in Ukraine who does not want to end the war, return to families, to children. It is clear that everyone wants this. Many have been fighting since 2014, and those who have been uninterrupted on the front, have the feeling that they went directly into a circle without exit.”

“Secondly, we understand, at the subconscious level, that we will not be able to physically, by military means, reach the previous borders? Yes, of course, we understand that even on the borders of 2022 we will not be able to reach, with military means.”

“The only formula that we could do is if all the armies in Europe, of our partners, would join us, as in 1941-1945, and we would hit the common enemy together. But we do not illusions and we realize that no one will send us a single military.”

“Europe is afraid to get involved in this war, and we are practically alone with our people, a resource that ends. Third, we understand that the distance at which the negotiations between Putin and Trump will take place in Alaska, shows that Trump does not consider neither Europe, nor Ukraine as a decision -making actors in this war.”

“After Trump's mandate will end, we are convinced that Russia will attack again.”

But does Lieutenant Jeroslavchi believe in peace that can start today, in Alaska?

“In Ukraine we have to divide the situation in two aspects, which I know and understand well. Even if the Trump administration does not see the decision -making authority in the current Ukrainian leadership, it takes into account the Ukrainian army and security forces.”

“Because Trump knows very well that, even if certain favorable agreements will be achieved to Russia, and we understand what Russia wants-to withdraw from the four territories that they have registered in its Constitution, these agreements will not be accepted. I am convinced that neither the soldiers nor the supreme commander will take any step.

“What we have defended with our lives we will not abandon. And through struggles, the Russians will never drive us away. That is why you will have to look for temporary stops of this war.”

“Why do I say temporary stop? Because we understand very well that it will resume. Even if it will be frozen during Trump's term, after Trump's mandate is over, we are convinced that Russia will attack again.”

What will happen on December 10, 2025

“Putin will find a thousand ways to do so. Therefore, today we can most likely discuss the exclusive war on the current contact line.”

“Indeed, I think everything goes to a conflict freezing. I try to understand all the visible and invisible events that take place. I think everything goes to a stop. Let's not forget that on December 10, 2025, at Oslo, the Nobel Peace Prize will be awarded. This is Trump's main dream. century ”.

Sergeant Alex Kubov, Pokrovske: “We are literally proposed to change Ukraine's territory on Ukraine, without any security guarantee.”

Alex Kubov, a sergeant of the forces of the Ukrainian army, the Directorate of Pokrovske, says what a dangerous transfer would mean.

“If it is to be honest, neither me nor my comrades are waiting for positive news. After Trump's meeting with Putin, Trump will most likely accuse Ukraine that we do not want to go to a resolution of the conflict. Although, in reality, we are literally proposed to change Ukraine on Ukraine, without any security.

“To give up the Donetk region means to give up the defense lines that have kept the Russians for 11 years, it means to completely lack the fortified positions in the case of a new attack.”

“Ukraine must insist on justice. I do not believe in returning to the 1991 borders, with such a” impotent “position as our allies, especially with the current US leadership.”

“Many are tired of war and will want peace at any cost, but we, the military, understand that this is only a postponement. In this war we represent good, the Russians are evil.”

“Each of us will fight to the end, even if we have to do it without the help of the US – so I did almost all the war. I do not believe that there will be a true peace in the near future. Maybe there will be a frost of conflict, but not peace,” explained Kubov.

Vlad Zadorin, prisoner 697 days: “All books are in Trump. I hope to understand how to encourage dictators and tyrants”

Vlad Zadorin is a Ukrainian military man who participated in the battles in Donetk and Luhansk, a former prisoner, 679 days in captivity.

“The Ukrainians want peace more than anyone, but certainly not with the price of losing their own country. Any scenario in which Russia escapes unpunished for its aggression is an encouragement for it to do the same in the future.”

“All Ukrainians are convinced that if there will be froze the conflict and raising sanctions against Russia, it will be stimulated to start a new war over a few years.”

“It is enough not to miss from a few lessons to school to understand how to encourage dictators and tyrants.”

“I hope Trump has enough common sense and rationality to finally understand that Putin is not a rational player, but simply mocks the US president and does not plan to play correctly.”

And he is afraid of the “future war”

“You can speak with a little only when the Russian economy or the Russian army collapses, it collapses. Currently, both are in a difficult situation, no matter how much the Kremlin would say.”

“Therefore, all the books are in Trump, he has the opportunity to put Putin an ultimatum and propose a scenario to postpone the future war for many years, namely: Ukraine to adhere to NATO and the EU, and the territories occupied are not recognized by the international community. Only then Russia, in time, will be prepared.”