The peace conversations are in a parallel universe, say Ukraine Front troops

While Moscow examines a temporary termination of the fire, 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 a lost life.

At the Military Hospital in Eastern Ukraine, the wounded arrives with an ambulance in waves. This is where there is a clear interruption between diplomacy, far from the fighting and the brutality of the battle – where human bodies are still breaking, crushing and marked by bombs and bullets.

We watch two more dozen wounded Ukrainian soldiers were busy by bus to be taken to hospital in Dnepro – some walking wounded, others wore on stretchers. The bus is equipped with medical equipment to monitor the victims, as they are quickly driven by holes with holes.

The men on board are less seriously injured. Most are struck by shrapnel. The reason is often what is now the most fruitful and is afraid of a weapon on the front line – drones.

None of those we talked about believes that this war will soon end. The thirty -year -old Maxim is on a stretcher with an IV drop to relieve some of the pain of several wounds on the shrapnel on his body. He says he has heard talking about a temporary 30-day end of fire, but he adds, “I consider Putin a killer and the murderers do not agree so easily.”

Vova, who sits nearby, says, “I don’t believe.” He says that near the besieged city of Pokrovsk, they were faced with Russian violent attacks every day. “I doubt there will be a truce,” he tells me.

Another soldier named Maxim says this is the second time he was injured. “I don’t believe there will be a ceasefire,” he says. “I had many friends who are no longer with us.

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

The large medical bus is run by the volunteer army battalion of Ukraine – known as hospitals. They transport dozens of wounded soldiers every day.

Sofia, a 22-year-old medical student, has worked with the team in the last 18 months. She is also skeptical of the chances of ending the fire: “I can’t believe it, but I really would like to happen,” she says.

She tells me that when he first heard the news that the United States and Ukraine agreed to squeeze to end fire, Russian drones fly over their base, engaging in Ukrainian air protection. For her, talking about peace is from a parallel universe.

Sofia says “at least it’s good that Ukraine and America talk again.” But as for the hope of any ceasefire, it indicates the recent past.

“Watching all the calls to end the fire we had in the past, these were not worked. How would this work?” she asks.

Her colleague Medic Daniel has joined the hospitals from Sweden. He says he understands what it is when a smaller nation is attacked by its giant neighbor. His grandfather fights for Finland against Russia during World War II. History counts.

When Daniel first arrived in Ukraine, he asked about wounded soldiers what they would do after the war. He no longer does it. “Nobody wants to answer it,” he says, “because 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 something that is not useful for Putin.”

Ukraine has a very bitter experience in negotiating with Russia. France and Germany mediated for termination in 2014 and 2015, when the forces supported by Russia first took parts of Eastern Ukraine and Crimea. They didn’t work. Nor did they deterred Russia to carry out its full-scale invasion of Ukraine eight years later.

It is possible to talk about peace, but men from the 68th Brigade of Ukraine are still preparing for war. We watch them rehearse their workouts to evacuate an early soldier under fire. Most had to do it real.

In the distance, we can hear the rumble of artillery. It’s only 10 miles to the front line, where they will soon be back soon.

They have heard some positive news in recent days. Ukrainian forces are exceeded in Kursk. Last August, this surprising offensive on the Russian territory seemed like a tactical brilliance – enhancing morality. Now it is in danger of becoming a major strategic failure.

Kursk may not soon be a chip for negotiation for future negotiations, but heavy weight, with the loss of valuable Ukrainian equipment and life.

One of the few positives is that the United States is renewing its military support. This matters for the 67th Brigade, which manages American crafted equipment. They conduct their training with a delivered American armored vehicle MaxxPro.

Ivan, the driver, who wears a small American uniform patches, says he has weighed Trump’s administration, has now agreed to turn the block. His vehicle needs regular repairs. “I would like them to continue to help,” he says.

But Ivan is still not sure if President Trump can be trusted.

“I have doubts,” he says. As for President Putin’s confidence, he replies: “No. Never. ” Even a temporary cessation of the fire, it feels like a long way.