Ukraine Recovery Conference concludes with focus on funding, not peace
The two-day Ukraine Recovery Conference wrapped up in Rome on Friday, but the vision of rebuilding the war-torn country remains largely theoretical am...
Ukrainians believe that Russia is not interested in ending the war and will not make any concessions despite the talks.
Kyiv residents have voiced concern after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke positively about his phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and suggested a swift resolution to the war—potentially by conceding Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory to Moscow.
“For Ukrainians, this is a negative sign. And I think that no one will just let it go,” said Oleksandr Sokhatskyi, a financial consultant in Kyiv, speaking to CNN on Thursday about the possibility of Ukraine losing land to Russia. “Or maybe (the United States and Russia) are just testing whether we will accept it in silence or respond with opposition.”
While some Ukrainians expressed hope for a fair peace deal, few believed it was likely. Many feared that Putin was influencing Trump, steering him toward a settlement favorable to Moscow.
“Trump said the war would be over in 24 hours and it’s been a while. I don’t see any prospect (of ending the war) anytime soon,” said 70-year-old Liudmyla Bilozerova.
“I would like to believe that everything will work out. Ukraine wants peace. This is the most important thing,” added Viktor, a pensioner. “It’s bad that they bypass Ukraine, negotiate with Putin, and the EU isn’t invited to the talks.”
“The surrender of territory is the most sensitive issue,” Viktor said, stressing that Ukrainians want to return to the borders the country enjoyed after its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 until 2014, when Russia seized Crimea. “We cannot understand what they (Putin and Trump) are talking about behind our backs.”
Trump’s phone call with Putin sparked concerns across Europe that he might push for a deal unfavorable to Kyiv. When asked on Wednesday whether he considers Ukraine an equal partner in the peace process, Trump hesitated, responding, “Um, that’s an interesting question.”
Earlier, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told NATO defense ministers that Ukraine’s NATO membership was unrealistic, as was the prospect of reclaiming all the territory Russia has annexed since its initial invasion in 2014.
“We know that Russia is highly deceptive—they can pretend to cooperate, but when it comes to real concessions and peace agreements, they never follow through,” said Yuliya Kazdobina of the Kyiv-based foreign policy think tank Ukrainian Prism. “No matter how much we want peace, I don’t think it’s possible because Russia hasn’t changed its stance and won’t.”
Sokhatskyi echoed these concerns, emphasizing the cost of war: “Given how many lives have already been lost, ending the war on someone else’s terms would dishonor those sacrifices. Why did our soldiers die defending these territories if we are to give them up now? We must not surrender our land—it would mean forgetting those who fought and fell for it.”
A series of earthquakes have struck Guatemala on Tuesday afternoon, leading authorities to advise residents to evacuate from buildings as a precaution against possible aftershocks.
A deadly mass shooting early on Monday (7 July) in Philadelphia's Grays Ferry neighbourhood left three men dead and nine others wounded, including teenagers, as more than 100 shots were fired.
Dozens of international and domestic flights were cancelled or delayed after Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupted on Monday, but Bali’s main airport remains operational.
The 17th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) was successfully held in Khankendi, Azerbaijan, highlighting the region’s revival and the deepening economic cooperation among member states.
French member of parliament Olivier Marleix was found dead at his home on Monday, with suicide being considered a possible cause.
The two-day Ukraine Recovery Conference wrapped up in Rome on Friday, but the vision of rebuilding the war-torn country remains largely theoretical amid the absence of a ceasefire.
A preliminary investigation by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has revealed that both engines of the Air India Flight AI-171 shut down mid-air within seconds of takeoff, leading to the deadly crash on June 12.
Norway could soon receive a major boost to its airborne defence, as Washington signals readiness to expand military cooperation through a new high-value arms deal.
A British man accused of running a $100 million fake wine loan scam pleaded not guilty in New York, denying claims that he sold investors a vintage collection that didn’t exist. The high-stakes fraud allegedly duped victims with promises of rare bottles and big returns.
The U.S. is set to support Lebanon’s military readiness with a $100 million deal to sustain A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, enhancing the Lebanese Armed Forces’ ability to uphold the recent ceasefire in southern Lebanon.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment