Opinion polls in Ukraine show that support for talks with Russia has begun to grow after last year's failed counteroffensive, although most Ukrainians still say they want to continue fighting for the return of all Russian-occupied lands. However, how writes The Wall Street Journal, one key population group remains hostile to any deal with Russia: the military.
“According to one recent poll, only 18% of veterans and active-duty military personnel believe Ukraine should seek a negotiated end to the war, the lowest of any demographic surveyed. 15% of soldiers and veterans said that they would join an armed protest if Kyiv signed a peace treaty with which they do not agree." - writes the publication.
The commander of the Third Assault Brigade, Andrii Biletskyi, noted that, although war fatigue is accumulating in society, "no military disaster has occurred."
"Ukraine can win back, at least, a very significant part of the territories," — he said. "I see great danger in ending a war at random."
Peace negotiations with the Russian Federation — opinions of civilians and military
Many in the military are convinced that in the event of a peace treaty, Putin will use the pause in hostilities only to re-equip the Russian armed forces and then invade the country again. Others said that the sacrifices of the fallen comrades would be in vain if Ukraine simply agreed to give up the territory to Russia.
Ivan Panchenko, a 42-year-old veteran, said he would oppose any plan to surrender Ukrainian territory.
"Russia has violated dozens of international treaties over the past 30 years — an agreement with it is worthless." - he said. "If we want peace that will last, we need to hurt them as much as possible."
At the same time, although polls show that the general public remains skeptical of deals with Putin, many — especially young people — are willing to accept no-win peace terms to stop the war.
Alla Pronina from Zaporizhzhia says that she began to consider the possibility of negotiations after last year's counteroffensive. Now that her husband is at war, she is ready to give up all the territory currently occupied by Russia in exchange for peace.
At the same time, as Volodymyr Dubovyk, director of the Center for International Studies, notes, a change in public opinion will give President Volodymyr Zelensky an opportunity to conclude some kind of agreement.
"The very fact that people seem more willing to negotiate with Russia is a big change." Dubovik said. But he added that any ceasefire carries significant political risks: "Many Ukrainians will probably perceive it as a bad deal."
The split in society is deepening
Many soldiers fighting in the east say that a barrier has formed between those who are fighting and the residents of the country's big cities, who are not paying attention to the war.
"The government has created the conditions under which those who are truly motivated will not agree to agreements that give away territory. But those who do not fight will make decisions. It's painful," — says one of the soldiers.
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