Ukrainian soldiers serving near the front lines expressed deep doubts that a proposed US-Russia peace plan would bring lasting security, saying Russia remains intent on conquering Ukraine regardless of any agreement reached, Associated Press (AP) reported.

Moving between muddy trenches and damp basements under constant Russian attacks, the troops said their motivation stems from defending their homeland. But they believe that without strong security guarantees – such as NATO membership – Russia will regroup and strike again.

“The Armed Forces of Ukraine are now the main barrier between peaceful civilian life of Ukrainians and our bad neighbor,” said a 40-year-old artillery gunner identified only by his call sign, “Kelt,” speaking to AP near the border of the Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk regions.

Kelt warned that any truce would be temporary. “This truce will be short-term, to restore Russia’s forces – for some three or five years – and they will come back,” he said.

The soldier also dismissed the idea that Ukraine should reduce its military under a peace deal.

He argued that such a proposal would make it easier for Russia “to kill you” later instead of now.

A deal could let Russia prepare for another war

Serhii Filimonov, commander of the Da Vinci Wolves battalion, voiced concern that a negotiated settlement would simply give Moscow room to reset.

“I think it would be nice for the Russians – to end the war, remove the sanctions, prepare for a new war and attack again,” he said. “I don’t believe there can be peace before Russia is destroyed, or at least the leadership is changed.”

He said Russian forces recently pushed into the strategic town of Pokrovsk but were forced out, adding that inexperienced recruits in neighboring units sometimes put defensive lines at risk.

American military analyst Rob Lee told AP that Ukraine’s manpower shortages could enable a Russian breakthrough: “Ukraine lacks manpower, lacks reserves. All it takes is for one Ukrainian brigade to really struggle, and then Russia can advance.”

Ukrainian military expert Taras Chmut said some frontline battalions have only around 20 fighters instead of the typical 400-800.

However, Lee also noted that although Russia is advancing faster in 2025, it is still far from certain that Moscow can take the rest of Donetsk in 2026.

Despite pressure, key positions hold

Ukraine continues to defend key areas such as Pokrovsk, Kupyansk, and Vovchansk, despite Russia’s attempts to capture them for more than a year, said Yuri Fedorenko, commander of the Achilles UAV Brigade.

Russia has “poured tens of thousands of soldiers” into the assaults, he said, arguing that their failure “testifies to the high motivation and resilience of the Ukrainian army.”

Meanwhile Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a briefing with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday that the military has almost completely cleared Kupyansk of Russian units, despite Kremlin claims that the city had been captured.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week the fighting would continue unless Ukraine withdraws from Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson – regions Moscow illegally annexed in 2022 but does not fully control.

Future of Ukraine’s army tied to Western aid

Alongside requiring Ukraine to withdraw from remaining parts of the Donetsk region, a draft US-Russia peace plan also reportedly included limiting the size of Ukraine’s army – a demand that Ukrainian military officials reject, arguing it would only heighten fears of a future Russian assault.

But sustaining the current force of over 1 million soldiers is impossible without continued Western funding. Since 2022, nearly all of Ukraine’s tax revenue has gone to military needs, while health care, pensions, education, and other state functions rely on Western grants and loans.

Ukraine will need $83.4 billion for defense and $52 billion for civilian expenditures in 2026-27, according to Hlib Buriak, associate professor of economics at Ukrainian-American Concordia University.

Even with the $50 billion allocated by the EU for 2024-27 under the Ukraine Facility Program, Kyiv will remain heavily dependent on external financing, Buriak said. Ukraine’s financial future – and its ability to maintain an army – depends heavily on how frozen Russian assets are used under any peace plan.