Ukrainian Sentiment Dims as Zelenskiy Seeks Peace Talks

As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy engaged in discussions at the White House with Donald Trump and various European leaders, a prevailing sense of skepticism permeated throughout Ukraine. Many citizens, including healthcare professionals, expressed doubts about the effectiveness of these negotiations in achieving meaningful peace. “I have no expectations from these meetings,” stated Dr. Bozhena Andrushchyshyn, a psychiatrist at the First Medical Union hospital in Lviv.

Dr. Andrushchyshyn, known as Dr. Andru, highlighted the growing mental health crisis in the country, with rising rates of depression, anxiety, and insomnia. “You don’t need to be under psychiatric treatment to feel this,” she remarked. Dr. Andru currently attends to approximately 150 civilians and 75 soldiers, prioritizing urgent care over her research collaboration with Yale University on the physiological effects of war trauma.

The urgency of her work is underscored by the influx of soldiers suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression, particularly following recent prisoner exchanges. “Patients call and text me,” she explained, emphasizing the overwhelming need for her support.

Among those affected is Captain Yulian Pylypei, a 30-year-old who endured nearly two years of captivity following his capture during the siege of Mariupol in April 2022. Recently freed, he recounted his experiences of torture and psychological manipulation. “If I had to choose between being captured again and dying, I would choose death in one second,” he said, reflecting on the harrowing conditions he faced.

While Captain Pylypei acknowledges the necessity of international support, he insists that Ukraine must prioritize its own self-defense. “Nobody wants peace more than we do, but we cannot sign a deal that allows Russian forces to continue their aggression,” he stated firmly.

Despite discussions surrounding proposed guarantees from the United States and Europe, including Trump’s suggested “Article five-like guarantees,” Pylypei remains unconvinced. He recalled the unfulfilled promises made in the Budapest Memorandum of 1994, which failed to protect Ukraine from subsequent aggression. “We must be very careful,” he warned.

As hostilities persist, with Russia launching 140 drones and four missiles within a single day, killing ten individuals, including children, the challenges of achieving peace become increasingly complex. Zelenskiy has called for a halt to Russian attacks during negotiations, yet the reality on the ground remains dire.

Captain Pylypei, who trained with the United States Marine Corps, recounted the psychological torture he endured, including forced confessions and bizarre accusations. “You want to scream, ‘Hey world, what is wrong with you?’” he lamented, questioning the persistence of such brutality in the modern era.

Dr. Andrushchyshyn shared her concerns for her fiancé, a soldier stationed in Kramatorsk, an area that has been a focal point of conflict. “There is a lot of pain and sometimes you feel hopeless,” she admitted, reflecting the sentiments of many Ukrainians grappling with the ongoing war.

The impact of the conflict has led to a surge in attempted suicides among civilians, with Pylypei revealing that several of his comrades resorted to desperate measures while imprisoned. “I told my guys, ‘Hey bro, don’t give up,’” he recalled, trying to instill hope in those around him.

Both Dr. Andrushchyshyn and Pylypei acknowledge that the traumatic experiences stemming from the war have profound implications for mental health. Yet, they also express a measure of optimism for the future. “I am 100 percent optimistic for the future,” Pylypei asserted. “We must defend the country and stay strong to rebuild it for our children.”

As discussions for peace continue, the sentiments of skepticism and cautious hope reflect the complex landscape of a nation yearning for an end to conflict, yet wary of empty promises and the harsh realities of war.