Ukraine's frontline soldiers have reacted to draft US peace proposals with a mixture of defiance, anger, and resignation. The BBC spoke to half a dozen who sent us their views via social media and email in response to the original US plan – details of which were leaked last week.
Since then, American and Ukrainian negotiators have been working on changes to the proposals and are set to continue talks about the 'peace framework'.
Of the original US plan, Yaroslav in eastern Ukraine says it 'sucks... no one will support it' while an army medic with the call sign Shtutser dismissed it as an 'absolutely disgraceful draft of a peace plan, unworthy of our attention'. But one soldier with the call sign Snake told us, 'it's time to agree at least on something'.
This is what the soldiers who spoke to the BBC had to say about some of the key points in the original US draft peace plan.
Giving up territory
The US put forward a draft peace proposal at a time when Russia is making significant advances on the battlefield. Over the past month alone, Ukraine has lost a further 450 sq km to Russia. Kyiv still controls around 15% of the Donbas region, the eastern part of Ukraine encompassing the Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts, which is a key war goal for Russia.
But the original US plan proposes that Ukraine give up the entire region - even parts it has successfully defended for nearly four years of full-scale war. 'Let them take it,' Snake told the BBC. 'There's practically no one left in the cities and villages... We're not fighting for the people but for the land, while losing more people.'
Andrii, an officer in Ukraine's general staff, adds that what is being proposed for Luhansk and Donetsk is 'painful and difficult' but suggests the country may have no other choice.
Cutting the size of Ukraine's armed forces
The US draft peace plan envisages limiting the size of Ukraine's armed forces to 600,000. That is still significantly more than before the full-scale invasion when its full-time strength was around 250,000, but smaller than its current size, which is estimated to be over 800,000.
Snake believes the country will need many of those currently in uniform to help rebuild Ukraine when the war ends. 'What's the point of having so many people in the army if there will be security guarantees?' he asks. Andrii the staff officer agrees, stating that, 'if there are security guarantees, then of course, there's no point in keeping such a large army.' But some soldiers argue against reducing the military size, seeing it as crucial for their country's defense.
Security guarantees
Ukraine's acceptance of the proposals will hinge on future security guarantees. The US draft plan rules out Ukraine's NATO membership but promises US security guarantees against potential future Russian attacks. Many soldiers remain skeptical about the adequacy of these guarantees, reflecting concerns over US commitment amidst changing political tides.
Yevhen, a drone operator in eastern Ukraine, believes that foreign troops' presence is vital for security, favoring a 'Coalition of the Willing' led by the UK and France. He noted that this presence would enhance their chances of winning the war.
Fresh elections
The US draft plan sets a proposal for Ukraine to hold new elections within 100 days after the war's end, which could be controversial since under current laws elections can't occur during wartime. Calls for governmental change resonate on the frontlines, with many soldiers supporting the idea of fresh elections due to rising concerns about corruption within the current administration.
Overall, while there are deep reservations about the US proposals, there is a common sentiment among soldiers: many are weary of fighting and see any plan that could lead to peace as worth considering. As Andrii puts it, 'If it stops the war, then it works for me.'
