Peaceful negotiations are held in a parallel universe, say

While Moscow is considering a temporary ceasefire, its military machine continues to press its advantage on the front line. Diplomatic negotiations can be slow and difficult. But on the battlefield, they can be measured in lost life.

At the military hospital in Eastern Ukraine, the victim arrived on the ambulance in the waves. There is a clear gap between diplomacy, far from fighting, and the cruelty of the battle – where human bodies are still broken, crushed and scattered with bombs and bullets.

We see two dozen injured Ukrainian soldiers who are loaded into a bus to be taken to the Dnipro hospital – some walking wounded, others conducted stretchers. The bus is equipped with medical equipment to monitor the victims when they quickly drive on potholes.

Men are less wounded on board. Most were hit by Shrapnel. The reason is often the fact that now the most fertile and feared weapon on the front line – drones.

None of those we talked to believe that this war would not end soon. Thirty-year-old Maxim is on a stretcher from IV drops to relieve some of the pain from several shrapnel wounds through his body. He says he has heard talking about a temporary 30-day ceasefire, but adds, “I believe that Putin does not agree so easily.”

Vova sitting nearby says, “I don’t believe it.” He says that they encountered Russian thunderstorms every day near the besieged city of Pokrovsk. “I doubt it will be a truce,” he tells me.

Another soldier named Maxim says this is the second time he was injured. “I do not believe that there will be a ceasefire,” he says. “I had a lot of friends who are no longer with us.

“I would like to believe everything will be fine. But you can’t trust Russia. Never.”

A large medical bus is driven by the Volunteer Army Battalion – known as The Hospitude. They carry dozens of wounded soldiers every day.

Sofia, a 22-year-old medical student, has been working with the team for the last 18 months. She also skeptical of the chance of ceasefire: “I can’t believe it, but I would very much like it,” she says.

She tells me that when she first heard the news that the US and Ukraine agreed to push the ceasefire, Russian drones flew over their base, engaged in Ukrainian air protection. For her talk about peace is a parallel universe.

Sofia says, “At least well that Ukraine and America are talking again.” But as for the hope for ceasefire, it indicates the recent past.

“Looking at all the ceasefire calls we had in the past did not work. How will it work?” she asks.

Her Comrade with Medico Daniel joined Hospits from Sweden. He says he understands what it is when he is attacked by a smaller people. His grandfather fought for Finland against Russia during World War II. History is considered.

When Daniel first arrived in Ukraine, he asked the wounded soldiers what they would do after the war. He is no longer more. “Nobody wants to answer it,” he says, “so they don’t want to be disappointed. They don’t dare to hope.”

Daniel does not rule out ceasefire. But he adds, “You can’t trust Putin to do whatever Putin is.”

Ukraine has extensive experience in negotiation with Russia. France and Germany armored the ceasefire in 2014 and 2015, when Russia supported by Russia first took parts of Eastern Ukraine and Crimea. They didn’t work. They also did not release Russia from conducting a full -scale invasion of Ukraine eight years later.

They can talk about peace there, but the people of the 67th Brigade of Ukraine are still preparing for the war. We see them rehearse their workouts to evacuate the affected soldier under the fire. Most already had to do so.

In the distance we can hear the hum of artillery. It’s just 10 miles to the front line where they will soon return.

In recent days, they have heard little positive news. Ukrainian troops are overcome in Kursk. In August last year, this surprise to the Russian territory seemed to the movement of tactical shine – increasing morality. Now it threatens to become a major strategic failure.

Kursk may soon be no longer beaten for future negotiations, but a heavy load, with the loss of Ukrainian equipment and life.

One of the few positives is that the US is restoring its military support. This matters for the 67th brigade that manages US equipment. They conduct their workouts with the American armored vehicle Maxxpro.

Ivan, the driver who wears a small American patch on his uniform, says he was relieved by Trump’s administration agreed to change the block. Its vehicle requires regular repair. “I would like them to continue to help,” he says.

But Ivan is still not convinced whether the President of Trump can be trusted.

“I have doubts,” he says. As for President Putin’s trust, he replies: “Never.” Here, even a temporary ceasefire feels a long way.