When Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump agreed to enter peace talks aimed at ending Russias full-blown intrusion of Ukraine, Russian authorities and state propaganda trumpeted what it called a victory for Moscow.But among normal Russians, responses have actually been a lot more mixed, with wish for an end to the bloodshed but doubts over whether the talks would bring enduring peace or enhance life at home.The question of whether Russians support or oppose the war in Ukraine has actually been a topic of intense debate considering that the invasion began in 2022, with popular opinion shifting in the middle of the Kremlins propaganda, a rising death toll and war fatigue.Theres no reason for impressions, however its better than absolutely nothing, stated one Muscovite in his 60s when asked by The Moscow Times what he thinks of possible ceasefire negotiations.He, like others spoke with for this story, spoke on condition of anonymity for safety reasons.This appeared to be the dominating belief amongst many people viewing the events of the previous week from inside Russia.Although the war has actually faded into the background for most Russians except for those in border regions affected by fighting or those with family members drafted to the front public opinion shows that Russians desire peace talks to start, while also revealing issues about what the country will appear like after the peace arrangement is reached.A record-high 61% of Russians say that peace talks should start immediately, according to a study published this month by the Levada Center, Russias last major independent pollster.People are hoping [for peace], however it seems that [the hopes] might not be understood, said Karina, a homeowner of Voronezh a city situated about 200 kilometers from the border and routinely attacked by Ukrainian drones.Even if the settlements occur, it doesnt imply we wont have to deal with the consequences of the war, she said, describing the Kremlins reduced standing on the global phase in addition to domestic obstacles like social stagnancy and economic difficulties.Little is known about what Moscow and Washington plan to bring to the negotiating table or in what exact format the talks will take place.The Kremlin stated on Friday that there was no agreement yet on the timing or area for a face-to-face conference in between Putin and Trump.Russian state media and pro-Kremlin bloggers commemorated the news of the peace talks, depicting it as a triumph for the Kremlin after the previous United States administration looked for to make Putin a worldwide pariah.
However normal people who spoke to The Moscow Times revealed more issue about the countrys future.Of course, I follow the reports about possible settlements, which I think have actually been continuous behind closed doors for a while, stated Natalia, 47, a citizen of the Belgorod area which borders Ukraine.But I think that without severe security assurances for Ukraine, the peace will barely be long-lasting, she said.Moscow has up until now been incredibly elusive in response to the question of whether Kyiv would be directly involved in the settlements, specifying that there would be a bilateral Russian-American track and a track linked to Ukraines involvement.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Kyiv was ready to work on the peace procedure but insisted during the Munich Security Conference that no decisions must be taken without Kyiv and Europe.
On Sunday, he stated he would decline any peace strategy worked out without Ukraines involvement.One of the greatest challenges for both Moscow and Kyiv is likely to be the concern of Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories along with the part of Russias Kursk region that has been caught by Ukraine.Moscow, which inhabits around 20% of Ukrainian territory and whose Constitution forbids turning over lands it considers its own, already dismissed the concept of swapping the areas including, nevertheless, that we would suggest not getting ahead of negotiations.Along with the territorial problem, some people in Russia likewise express concerns about servicemen returning from the front line, which could cause develop in violence if previous soldiers are not effectively reintegrated into society.It would be good if the war ends and even if [the dispute] is simply frozen, said Altynay, a homeowner of Russias republic of Bashkortostan.But when all of them [soldiers] return, I believe criminal activity will increase, along with the variety of rapes and murders.
We have to admit that any end to this war will be awful, Altynay said.The Kremlin stated Putin and Trump had not talked about the possibility of lifting sanctions during their first publicized call since Trump returned to the White House.
For lots of Russians, financial difficulties have actually turned into one of the most instant results of the war.The only thing being discussed now is whether this meeting [between Putin and Trump] will affect the ruble currency exchange rate everybody is taking a look at it through the lens of how the settlements will impact their financial resources and earnings, stated one mid-level manager from a public sector company in Moscow.I personally think the outcome will be nothing it will be gone over politically for a long period of time, but the outcome will be no, she told The Moscow Times.Senior Russian and United States authorities are set to meet in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to lead the way for the peace talks.Still, the preparations for settlements could take weeks or months.
Meanwhile, on the cutting edge, Russian forces continue to advance in some areas of the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions.Some people straight affected by the war informed The Moscow Times that they had no expectations for the negotiations.Karina, who moved to Voronezh when the military conflict began in 2014 in her native Luhansk now annexed by Moscow, said that even if a peace arrangement is reached, I have no wish for the long term.Over these years, the people of both countries have actually been too greatly incited against each other for there not to be acts of sabotage or a resurgence of dispute, she said.Kirill Ponomarev contributed reporting.