On the third anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine, Kiev residents expressed their views on the situation amid deepening uncertainties over the US administration's commitment to helping their country fight Russian forces.
Viktoriia Ilkovych, a lecturer at the National University of Kyiv, told the Associated Press news agency that the cessation of fighting is not a good decision for Ukraine, as it would, according to her, allow the Russian army to gather.
"In the short term, it's a plus, but in the long term it's a big minus for us, considering that we will most likely lose our citizenship completely," she says.
Student Karyna Bui says that morale in Ukraine has declined recently.
"It seems to me that this is the worst situation in these three years. The morale of society is not the same, there is so little trust that those who can afford to leave are abandoning the country. They are building their lives somewhere abroad," says the 18-year-old student.
Kiev resident David Derevlianyi says Ukrainians must stay united, not only in times of war but also in times of peace.
"Because Russia is trying to divide our people. Not only here, look at Romania, Germany, all the countries of Europe and even the United States. So we have to keep fighting for our country, for our flag and our community and for the whole free world," he says.
Ukrainians expressed support for President Volodymyr Zelensky and the belief that their country will prevail.
"Ukraine is not a country that can be conquered in three days. The Russians have not managed to break us for 300 years. They have tried but they have not succeeded," Yevheniia Bondini, a resident of Kiev, told Reuters news agency.
Thousands of civilians have died in the war, the vast majority of them Ukrainians.
President Volodymyr Zelensky told Ukrainians on Monday that he was proud of the heroism they had shown. US President Donald Trump has called Mr Zelensky a 'dictator' and warned him he must move quickly to make peace with Russia or risk losing his country.
The change in tone from the United States, Ukraine's most important backer, has alarmed European officials and raised fears that Kiev could be forced to reach a peace deal that favors Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"I support Zelensky as President of Ukraine. In times of war we are united, we all support our President," says Andrii Oleniuk, a resident of Kiev.
Another resident hopes the war will end soon.
"This is our country, our land and our territory. We want the war to end because we have no strength left," says Inna Zaitseva, a resident of Kiev.
On Sunday, on the eve of the third anniversary of the war, Ukrainian officials said Russia attacked overnight with 267 drones, more than in any other single attack since the start of the war. /VOA (A2 Televizion)
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