On Ukrainian front, soldiers react to Trump: Reporter’s notebook


On the south -east front, Ukraine – The largest underground hospital in Ukraine is a stunning subtrenian warren of wood and high -tech medical machinery. More than 4,300 square feet of operation room, an ICU, doorstiry, nurses quarters and even a small gym, all two stories are underground.

Not far from the south -east front line, this extraordinary feature is a monument for Ukrainian simplicity and flexibility. We come from the front with an ambulance with the injured soldiers. One of men is visually distraught. We take his commander aside

“He lost three friends in a drone strike,” says the commander. “Was a relative.”

Photo: Ukrainian soldiers with 33rd brigade train in dnipropetrovsk area

Ukrainian troops with the 33rd separate mechanized brigade receives a gas attack training during military training on March 13, 2025 at dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine. Ukraine has agreed to the US-supported proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, not yet released an official reaction with Russia. (Photo Paula Branstein/Getty Image)

Paula Bronstein/Getty Images

I take a chance to ask if all this sacrifice seems worth it, now that they cannot rely on American support for longer.

“If we lose support, we will fight with our bare hands,” they say.

I ask what he talks about Putin’s peace. He laughs. Everyone here laughs at him.

“Putin lies,” he tells me. “I’ve been fighting since 2014, and I know the value of Putin’s wars.”

Are they worried that Trump is going to hear Putin’s lies?

Photo: Ukrainian soldiers with 33rd brigade train in dnipropetrovsk area

Ukrainian troops with the 33rd separate mechanized brigade receives a gas attack training during military training on March 13, 2025 at dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine. Ukraine has agreed to the US-supported proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, not yet released an official reaction with Russia. (Photo Paula Branstein/Getty Image)

Paula Bronstein/Getty Images

“He is the US President. He was chosen. He cannot be a fool. ,

I ask what he created from the Oval Office meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodimier Zelanski two weeks ago, which ended in a wide shouting match. The commander isware of his words.

“Perhaps it is just the same as he operates,” he says. “And we don’t see a big picture.”

No one is going to openly criticize Donald Trump here. They want the war to end. And they know that he can actually help them end. But they are not about leaving what they have done.

However, no one knows what the end looks like.

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