Russians residing outside Moscow express skepticism regarding Trump's ability to deliver on his promises.
In the quiet town of Vereya, 600 kilometers from the Ukrainian frontline and a stone's throw from Moscow, residents express a collective weariness for the ongoing conflict and hope for an end to the violence.
Walking through the cemetery, framed portraits of fallen soldiers rest among the flowers, and Russian military division flags flutter in the wind. The townsfolk express their hopes for a ceasefire, even if they're not entirely convinced that U.S. President Donald Trump will deliver.
"I can't help but feel hopeful that Trump and Putin could sit down and sort this out. Maybe, just maybe, this whole mess will come to an end," said Efim Semenikhin, a 48-year-old cemetery worker, to AFP.
Since his return to the White House in January, Trump's warming relations with Moscow have been a striking departure from his predecessor Joe Biden's foreign policy. Trump has reached out to Putin directly and has been pushing for a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, although his efforts have lacked progress.
disguised amongst verdant hills, resembled a picturesque Alpine village with its neat streets and vibrantly colored houses, giving off a festive vibe. The town, home to about 5,000 people, has seen a surge in demand for flags due to the three years of Moscow's military offensive.
Residents expressed their hope that Trump would bring an end to the fighting and ease tensions with Moscow, which have deteriorated to their worst since the Cold War. However, some admitted that the probability of peace seemed further away than ever.
"I believed that Trump was our savior when he took office. I thought the whole ordeal would be over by 2025", lamented 51-year-old museum worker Natalia. "But when he didn't end the conflict the minute he returned to the White House, my hope plummeted."
She expressed her frustration, stating, "If he truly wanted peace, he would've turned off Starlink, that Elon Musk-owned satellite internet that the Ukrainians use. But here we are, still waiting."
For crane operator Igor, Trump was an improvement from Biden, but peace was still a pipe dream. "There have been so many promises from Trump, but no change," he said, expressing disappointment. Yelena Solodkaya, a mother of five, shared the same sentiment, admitting, "I have trouble trusting politicians."
According to a recent Levada Center poll, a majority of Russians (75%) would support Putin's decision to end the military conflict with Ukraine this week. In a local café, 20-year-old waitress Alisa expressed her optimism, beliving that Trump-Putin talks would improve the situation for Russia.
American fast-food staples at her workplace, "Stories", remain popular despite sanctions and anti-American sentiment. "I'm hopeful that something will change after these negotiations," she said, expressing her longing for peace and the return of companies like McDonald's, which left Russia during the military offensive.
On a bridge crossing the local river, Efim Semenikhin expressed uncertainty, saying, "We'll see. I pray for a resolution." Despite mixed feelings, the people of Vereya hold on to one collective hope: an end to the conflict.
- The portraits of fallen soldiers in Vereya's cemetery, a town close to Moscow, depict a collective desire among residents for a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia.
- Whether convinced or not, townsfolk in Vereya hope that President Donald Trump's diplomatic efforts with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, could lead to an end of the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Ukraine.
- The neat streets and vibrantly colored houses of Vereya, exhibiting a festive vibe, are a stark contrast to the three years of Moscow's military campaign in the broader context of general-news.
- Residents like Natalia, a museum worker, initially believed that Trump would bring an end to the conflict upon his return to the White House, but her hopes have since diminished when the peace did not materialize immediately.
- 20-year-old waitress Alisa, working at the American fast-food restaurant "Stories" in Vereya, is optimistic that Trump-Putin talks could bring improvements for Russia, expressing her hope for the return of companies like McDonald's, which left during the military offensive.
