Ukrainians are facing exhaustion, burdened by the emotional strain of the ongoing invasion and the physical toll of sleepless nights punctuated by air raid sirens, explosions, and the sounds of attack drones. A prevalent sentiment in Kyiv is: “It was a long night.”
Against this backdrop, former US President Donald Trump’s proposition to grant Russia 50 days to agree to a ceasefire or encounter “very severe tariffs… at about 100%” has elicited a lukewarm response.
Vitaly Klitschko, the Mayor of Kyiv and a prominent Ukrainian political figure, questioned “why such a delay?” during an interview on German television. He emphasized the escalating intensity of Russian attacks and the potential for further casualties during the stipulated 50-day period.
Following Trump’s statement regarding the provision of “top-of-the-line weapons” from the US via NATO partners in Europe, President Volodymyr Zelensky engaged in a conversation with Trump, expressing gratitude for his “willingness to support Ukraine.” The proposed “secondary tariffs” would target nations purchasing Russian oil exports.
However, Ukrainian MP Kira Rudik characterized Trump’s announcement as “bittersweet,” citing concerns that it grants Putin an additional 50 days to persist with deadly bombardments and sustain the offensive on the front lines.
“It is very hard and very personal for us because we don’t know if some of us will survive for these 50 days,” she told the BBC.
According to UN human rights monitors, over 230 civilians lost their lives in Ukraine last month, with numerous others injured. This marks the highest casualty figure in three years, coinciding with Russia’s deployment of a record number of drone and missile strikes.
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Among the armaments slated for delivery to Ukraine are Patriot air defense systems, intended to bolster the protection of cities against attacks.
“[There] hasn’t been a single fact that would prove Russia wants to stop the war. Ukraine is ready for an unconditional ceasefire, we have done everything by the book,” Rudik added.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov characterized Trump’s announcement as “very serious” on Tuesday, cautioning that such measures are perceived by Kyiv “not as a signal for peace but as a signal to continue the war.”
Skepticism regarding Trump’s assurances was palpable among Kyiv residents.
Yuliia and Alisa, both residents, expressed apprehension regarding his relationship with the Kremlin.
“I don’t believe it is real help for Ukraine… it’s all about his ego,” Yuliia told the BBC. “I guess these four years [of Trump’s presidency] are going to be very tough for Ukraine.”
“Everything that happened during the last six months just proved that nothing will change despite what Trump does or does not say,” Alisa added.
Nina, another Kyiv resident, voiced greater optimism, suggesting that the provision of additional weaponry by the US, financed by NATO member states in Europe, could “speed up the end of the war.”
She posited that a resolution could have been achieved sooner absent the support extended to Russia by allies such as North Korea and China.
Artem, whose father is serving in the Ukrainian army, expressed “hoping for the best.”
“People say a lot, let’s see how it goes. I hope that everything will be the way we want. And we want peace, for the war in Ukraine to end, and for all the guys to return alive,” he said.
Around the perimeter of St Michael’s monastery in Kyiv, photographs of fallen soldiers serve as a poignant reminder—some captured before the war, depicting men and women alongside family members and pets.
As Trump contemplates imposing new tariffs on Russia, the conflict persists, with these images serving as a somber testament to the soldiers who will never return home.
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