Ukrainians are grappling with profound exhaustion, both from the emotional strain of the ongoing invasion and the physical toll of sleepless nights punctuated by air raid sirens, explosions, and the sounds of incoming drones. In Kyiv, a common refrain is, “It was a long night.”

Therefore, former US President Donald Trump’s proposal to give Russia 50 days to agree to a ceasefire or face “very severe tariffs… at about 100%” has been met with a mixed response.

Vitaly Klitschko, the Mayor of Kyiv and a prominent figure in Ukrainian politics, questioned “why such a delay?” during an interview on German television. He noted the increasing intensity of Russian attacks and the potential for further casualties during the proposed 50-day period.

President Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly spoke with Trump after the former president indicated that “top-of-the-line weapons” would be supplied to Ukraine from the US via NATO partners in Europe. Zelensky expressed gratitude for Trump’s “willingness to support Ukraine.” The proposed “secondary tariffs” would target countries purchasing Russian oil exports.

However, Ukrainian MP Kira Rudik characterized Trump’s announcement as “bittersweet,” arguing that it effectively grants Putin an additional 50 days to continue the bombardment and maintain the offensive at 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 stated to the BBC.

According to UN human rights monitors, last month saw the deaths of over 230 civilians in Ukraine, with many more wounded. This represents the highest number in three years, coinciding with a surge in Russian drone and missile attacks.

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The weaponry being sent to Ukraine includes Patriot air defense systems, intended to bolster the protection of cities from aerial 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 commented on Tuesday that Trump’s announcement was “very serious” and cautioned that such decisions were perceived by Kyiv “not as a signal for peace but as a signal to continue the war.”

On the streets of Kyiv, there was limited confidence in Trump’s promises.

Residents Yuliia and Alisa both expressed concern 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 cautious optimism that additional weapons supplied by the US and financed by NATO member states in Europe could “speed up the end of the war.”

She suggested that the conflict could have concluded sooner had Russia not received assistance from allies such as North Korea and China.

Artem, whose father is serving in the Ukrainian army, stated he was “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.

A walk around the wall surrounding St Michael’s monastery in Kyiv reveals photographs of fallen soldiers – some predating the war, depicting men and women with their families and pets.

As Trump discusses potential new tariffs on Russia, the war persists, and these images serve as a somber reminder of the soldiers who will never return home.

Trump says he trusts “almost nobody” in exclusive interview discussing the war in Ukraine, Nato and the UK.

Donald Trump tells the BBC he is “disappointed” with Vladimir Putin over the lack of a ceasefire deal in Ukraine.

Under the new plan, the US will sell weapons to Nato countries who will send them to Ukraine.

The US is threatening Moscow with financial consequences if a deal to end the Ukraine war is not reached within 50 days.

For the first time since returning to the White House, Trump pledges to make new weapons available to Ukraine.

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The ongoing conflict has left Ukrainians weary, burdened by the emotional strain of the invasion and the physical exhaustion from interrupted sleep due to air raid sirens, explosions, and drone attacks. In Kyiv, the phrase “It was a long night” has become commonplace.

Therefore, former US President Donald Trump’s proposal to grant Russia a 50-day ultimatum to agree to a ceasefire, or face “very severe tariffs… at about 100%,” has been met with skepticism.

Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko, a prominent figure in Ukrainian politics, questioned “why such a delay?” during an interview on German television. He noted the increasing intensity of Russian attacks and the potential for further casualties within the 50-day timeframe.

President Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly spoke with Trump after the former president’s commitment to supplying “top-of-the-line weapons” from the US via NATO partners in Europe, expressing gratitude for his “willingness to support Ukraine.” The proposed “secondary tariffs” would target countries purchasing Russian oil exports.

However, Ukrainian MP Kira Rudik characterized Trump’s announcement as “bittersweet,” arguing that it effectively grants Putin an additional 50 days to continue deadly bombardments and maintain the offensive along 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 were killed in Ukraine last month, with many more wounded, marking the highest toll in three years as Russia intensified its drone and missile attacks.

Read More:

Trump threatens Russia while unveiling Ukraine weapons plan

Rosenberg: Russia more relieved than rattled by US tariff threat

Trump weapons pledge a big step for Ukraine

Among the weapons being sent to Ukraine are Patriot air defence batteries to help protect cities from attack.

“[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 stated on Tuesday that Trump’s announcement was “very serious” and cautioned that such decisions were perceived by Kyiv “not as a signal for peace but as a signal to continue the war”.

There was little faith in Trump’s promises on the streets of Kyiv.

Residents Yuliia and Alisa said they both worried about 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, who also lives in Kyiv, was more optimistic that additional weapons sent by the US and paid for by Nato member states in Europe could “speed up the end of the war”.

It could have come to an end sooner if Russia had not have been helped by allies like North Korea and China, she said.

Artem, whose father is serving in the Ukrainian army, was “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.

Walking around the wall encircling St Michael’s monastery in Kyiv, photos of the fallen stare out at you – some were taken before the war, featuring men and women posing with family members and pets.

As Trump talks of imposing new tariffs on Russia, the war continues – with these images a reminder of the soldiers who will never come home.

Trump says he trusts “almost nobody” in exclusive interview discussing the war in Ukraine, Nato and the UK.

Donald Trump tells the BBC he is “disappointed” with Vladimir Putin over the lack of a ceasefire deal in Ukraine.

Under the new plan, the US will sell weapons to Nato countries who will send them to Ukraine.

The US is threatening Moscow with financial consequences if a deal to end the Ukraine war is not reached within 50 days.

For the first time since returning to the White House, Trump pledges to make new weapons available to Ukraine.

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