Pavlo Nebroev remained awake until the early hours of the morning in Kharkiv, a city in northeastern Ukraine, to await a press conference involving Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, who were meeting thousands of kilometers away.
The leaders of the US and Russia convened in Alaska to address Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, which has persisted for over three years.
However, no significant progress was made, and from the perspective of Kharkiv – a city that has faced extensive attacks from Russia throughout the conflict – the high-profile meeting appeared to be a clear triumph for Putin.
“I observed the outcomes I anticipated. I believe this represents a substantial diplomatic success for Putin,” stated Nebroev, a 38-year-old theatre manager.
“He has entirely legitimized himself.”
Trump’s invitation to Putin to visit the US marked the end of the West’s isolation of the Russian leader following the invasion in 2022.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s leader, who was not extended an invitation, characterized the trip as Putin’s “personal victory.”
Nebroev, like many Ukrainians, was astonished that the meeting could occur without any representatives from his country.
“This was a pointless meeting,” he remarked, adding: “Matters regarding Ukraine should be addressed with Ukraine, involving Ukrainians, including the president.”
Following the meeting, Trump briefed European leaders and Zelenskyy, who announced that he would meet with the US leader in Washington on Monday.
The Trump-Putin meeting concluded without any agreements, and Trump refrained from taking questions from the press – a highly unusual move for the media-savvy US president.
Olya Donik, 36, expressed that she was not surprised by the outcome as she walked through a sunlit park in Kharkiv alongside Nebroev.
“It concluded with nothing. Well, let us continue living our lives here in Ukraine,” she remarked.
Hours after the discussions, Kyiv reported that Russia launched an attack involving 85 drones and a ballistic missile during the night.
“Regardless of whether talks occur, Kharkiv is subjected to shelling nearly every day. Kharkiv certainly does not experience any change,” commented Iryna Derkach, a 50-year-old photographer.
She had paused for the daily minute of silence observed nationwide to honor the victims of the conflict.
“We have faith in victory and are confident it will arrive, but only God knows who will ultimately make it happen,” she remarked.
‘Pouring water’
Derkach, like numerous Ukrainians, harbored doubts about Trump.
“We focus on our responsibilities and do not overly concern ourselves with Trump’s actions,” she continued.
In Kyiv, 30-year-old cosplayer Kateryna Fuchenko expressed her apprehension that the American president was not a genuine supporter of Ukraine.
“I do not believe he is in favor of Ukraine,” she stated, criticizing Trump for behaving as though he were “friends” with Putin.
“They merely transferred water from one empty vessel to another, back and forth, as is customary,” she described the discussions as futile, expressing skepticism that they accomplished “anything.”
Kyiv pensioner Volodymyr Yanukovych anticipated that Russia would continue to “attack as they have previously” on Ukraine’s capital, which has endured several lethal assaults this summer.
Pharmacist Larysa Melnyk was not optimistic about her country moving closer to peace.
“I do not foresee a truce,” she informed AFP, adding that even if the fighting ceases, it will only be for a short duration.
Historically, Russia has “initiated such significant conflicts,” the 25-year-old noted, referencing the 2008 war in Georgia. She inquired: “Why does no one respond to this?”
