As diplomats prepare for talks in Alaska, a defiant voice is rising from Ukraine’s southern front, where soldiers have vowed to “stand our ground” against the Russian invasion. This resolute stance from the Zaporizhzhia region highlights the immense challenge of selling any compromise peace deal to the Ukrainian people.
A howitzer commander using the call sign Warsaw captured the sentiment of many troops, stating, “We are on our land, we have no way out… we have no choice.” This is not the language of a military ready to accept a negotiated settlement that involves ceding territory.
This defiance on the southern front mirrors the skepticism in the east, where commanders have called talks with Russia “impossible.” Together, they paint a picture of a Ukrainian military and society that may be unwilling to accept a peace dictated by great powers, especially one that sacrifices land for which they have fought and died.
President Trump’s belief that he can forge a deal “to the betterment of both” will be tested against this powerful nationalist sentiment. The defiant voices from Zaporizhzhia serve as a reminder that a peace treaty is only meaningful if it is accepted by those who must live with its consequences.