Ukraine Soldiers Doubt Diplomatic Resolution with Russia Amid Ongoing Conflict

Dnipropetrovsk (Ukraine), Aug 8 (AP) — Ukrainian soldiers show little optimism for a diplomatic end to the conflict with Russia, given the lack of progress following US President Donald Trump's imposed deadline for Russia to cease hostilities. Trump's potential plans for a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin have so far failed to yield any substantial results. Russia's larger military continues its gradual advance into Ukraine, incurring significant casualties while heavily bombing Ukrainian cities. Both nations remain significantly apart in their positions for a peaceful resolution.

Ukrainian troops are embroiled in fierce combat along a front line stretching 1,000 kilometers from northeast to southeast Ukraine. The Pokrovsk region in the eastern Donetsk area suffers the most as Russia attempts to push into the neighboring Dnipropetrovsk region. Meanwhile, Ukraine struggles with manpower shortages.

In the northern Sumy region, Ukrainian forces are engaged with Russian troops to hinder reinforcements destined for Donetsk. In Pokrovsk, a local commander, using the call sign Buda, expressed doubts about Moscow's willingness for peace.

“Negotiation with them is impossible. Defeating them is the sole option,” the Spartan Brigade commander said to The Associated Press. Operating under military protocol, he shared only his call sign.

While expressing a desire for an agreement to end the conflict, Buda acknowledged that Russia seems unwilling to engage in negotiations, reinforcing the necessity to defeat them militarily.

In the southern Zaporizhzhia region, a howitzer commander identified as Warsaw emphasized their determination to resist the invasion: “We are on our land and have no other option but to hold our ground.”

On Thursday, Trump indicated a willingness to meet with Putin regardless of whether the Russian leader is willing to negotiate with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This has sparked anxiety in Europe that Ukraine's interests might be overshadowed in efforts to resolve Europe's most significant conflict since World War II.

The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, assessed Thursday that “Putin remains uninterested in ending his war and seeks bilateral concessions from the United States without engaging in meaningful peace talks.”

Putin's belief that time favors Russia, allowing it to outlast Ukraine and Western support, persists.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated Friday that Europe ought to spearhead efforts to conclude the conflict. He urged the leaders of Germany and France to visit Moscow to negotiate on Europe's behalf. He warned, “Otherwise, we risk being marginalized in managing our continent's security issues.”

A critical of the European Union, Orban suggested that concerns over a Trump-Putin summit not reflecting Europe's interests necessitate diplomatic intervention from Europe itself.

“This war cannot be concluded on the front line,” Orban argued. “Diplomats, politicians, and leaders must end it at the negotiating table.” (AP) NPK NPK

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