Prior to direct consultations between Ukraine and Russia, CNN measured moods from the Ukrainian capital.
Kiev was full of people wearing it Visebanca – An embroidered shirt that has become a symbol of national strength and is traditionally exhausted on the third Thursday of May.
Similarly, despite the atmosphere of celebration on the streets, most Ukrainians CNN spoke to said they did not believe that negotiations with Russia would change anything.
“We want to see a ceasefire, but with this enemy, there will be no one,” said Danil, who works in the provincial emergency services in Odesa and who came to Kiev for a meeting.
The 23-year-old was impressed by Zelensky’s proposal to meet in person with the Russian leader, but acknowledged that there were limitations to what Ukrainian leaders could do at any meeting.
“I want Zelensky to slap Putin in the face, but I understand that politics can’t do that.”
For 72-year-old Liudmyla Vasiyk and 76-year-old Dina Fedina, the future also looks bleak. Returning from the Computer Literacy Course, the two friends told CNN they had no positive expectations.
“President Putin won’t come. He’s afraid. He wants to capture Ukraine and restore the Soviet Union. We want to finish everything well, but that won’t happen. Everything will remain the same.
They also said they didn’t expect much help from Donald Trump and dismissed him as “a businessman who needs money, not Ukraine.”
Meanwhile, Ukrainian soldiers deployed in the South Zaporidia region told CNN over the phone that they hope to hear Russia repeat the same story points if a meeting takes place.
“Perhaps the negotiable team of the invader state (Russia) will demonstrate an unnegotiable position by defending the non-existent “root cause” of war,” the officer said, referring to the Kremlin’s claims against accused Ukraine staying at the Western Alliances.
His position was being fired overnight by Russian artillery, he said. “No matter what negotiations we’re going to keep working and fighting.”
