In a Russian border region scarred by war, civilians want peace with Ukraine — but not compromise
Category: News & Politics
Via: perrie-halpern • 2 weeks ago • 55 commentsBy: Keir Simmons, Natasha Lebedeva and Matthew Bodner
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
By Keir Simmons, Natasha Lebedeva and Matthew Bodner
RYLSK, Russia — Air-raid sirens are greeted with a shrug in the small town of Rylsk in Russia's southwestern Kursk oblast, where residents carry on with their day unconcerned as loud speakers warn, "Attention, missile danger, proceed to shelter."
Nearby, soldiers stand around smoking cigarettes or jump from vehicles to pick up packages from the Ozon store, a Russian equivalent of Amazon, in the thousand-year-old town.
Today, Rylsk sits just behind the front lines of the war Russia launched with the invasion of Ukraine, abandoned by the students who used to come and study at its four colleges. Its population is now mostly Russian troops, elderly people and those who have left nearby villages that have been occupied or become too dangerous in the eight months since Ukrainian forces crossed their northwestern border in a surprise incursion that Russia has failed to fully push back.
In the now militarized townthat isdotted with traditional blue and white churches, the signs of missile and drone damage are clear on some of the buildings. Standing in the rubble of a destroyed elementary school, Mayor Sergei Kurnosov, 39, told NBC News that a concert hall and a teachers college had also been struck in December. NBC News could not independently verify this claim.
"We hope that peace will come, and we will return to normal peaceful coexistence, normal, peaceful life," he said, emphasizing that civilians had been killed in the town as a result of the fighting. Here, almost every family has relatives in Ukraine and there are still street signs pointing the way to the town of Glukhov across the border.
"We hope that the leaders will come to an agreement and we will have peace," added Kurnosov, who carries a drone detector with him at all times.
Rylsk Mayor Sergei Kurnosov in front of a bombed elementary school Thursday.Alex Gordienko / NBC News
Asked about the children killed across the border since Russia invaded Ukraine and the targeting of schools there, he called the question "provocative."
Draconian legislation means that people can be jailed up to 15 years for criticizing the Russian army and the conflict, but others have been influenced by three years of powerful state media messaging priming them for war.
Even some who want peace said they did not want to compromise. There is deep resistance to the idea that President Vladimir Putin is responsible for the war, which rumbled into its third year last month.
While people were keen to return to a normal life, Kurnosov said, this could only be achieved if Ukrainian forces left the region. "We must liberate our territory," he said. "This is clear."
Elsewhere, Leonid Meshkov, a 39-year-old construction worker, said the war "began with" Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. To end the war "everything rests on Zelensky, and not on Putin," he said.
While his administration has reached out to the Kremlin in recent weeks and cut off military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, President Donald Trump said Friday that he was "strongly considering" sanctions and tariffs on Russia in hopes of forcing a settlement to end the war. In a post on Truth Social he said they could remain in place "until a Cease Fire and FINAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ON PEACE IS REACHED."
While Ukrainian forces remain in Kursk, "it's a very serious barrier for any talks," Andrei Fedorov, Russia's former deputy foreign minister, told NBC News in an interview Tuesday.Without elaborating,he added that "there is a kind of order to take Kursk back by the end of March, so maybe the problem will disappear."
While this would mean more fighting and go against Trump's ambition to end the conflict quickly — on the campaign trail he vowed to end the war within 24 hours of taking office — Fedorov said he believed the Kremlin was hoping to set up a meeting between Trump and Putin. But he said it is demanding to know more about the White House's ultimate goals before the Russian leader could commit.
"Meeting with Trump without results is not suitable for Putin," Federov said, adding that the Russian leader needed results and "a visible victory."
Talks between the two leaders were broached at high-level talks attended by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and other officials in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh, last month. But while the United States and Russia agreed tore-establish "the functionality of our respective missions in Washington and Moscow," there has been little movement since then.
Clockwise from top left: A statue of Lenin stands outside a municipal building, inside halls the shattered remnants of a concert venue, and debris strewn outside a bombed-out elementary school in Rylsk, Russia, on Thursday. Maxim Kazakov; Natasha Lebedeva / NBC News
And according to Fedorov, who remains a Putin ally, the American delegation arrived without concrete proposals. Meeting Trump was like going "to the desert," he added.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in an interview Tuesdaythat her country was "not in a hurry but we are ready" for talks. "It depends on both sides and the speed of both sides," she added.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy said in his nightly address Thursday that he would travel to Saudi Arabia on Monday to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and that his team would stay on to hold talks with U.S. officials.
Zelenskyy has been on the back foot following the disastrous Oval Office meeting last week with Trump and Vice President JD Vance. The White House subsequently cut off Ukraine's American intelligence feed that has helped it to anticipate Russian attacks and troop movements, and avoid nightly barrages from Russian drones on its cities and infrastructure.
For Russia, an ultimate goal will be securing sanctions relief from the Trump administration. But Trump won't be able to do that unilaterally, said Maximilian Hess, author of "Economic War: Ukraine and the Global Conflict Between Russia and the West."
But while the White House has made no secret that it is interested in economic opportunities with Russia, he said the "most important" sanctions "are shielded by legislation."
"That means those Russian individuals and entities blacklisted under certain executive orders cannot be lifted without congressional review," Hess added.
With Republicans currently in control of both the House and the Senate "a simple majority vote is all that would be needed to lift these sanctions," he said, adding the only obstacle would be whether the party's lawmakers were prepared to "buck Trump on this issue."
In Russia, people had been incentivized to fight, according to Fedorov, the former deputy foreign minister, who pointed to the fact that people receive around 2 million rubles, or around $20,000 when they sign up for the army, and then around 200,000 rubles around $2,250 a month. The average Russian salary is around $830 a month.
Quiet scenes on the streets of Rylsk, in Russia's embattled Kursk region, on Thursday.Natasha Lebedeva / NBC News
So, people in the army understand "they will lose all this money" if the war stops, he said, adding that the other problem would be "what to do with the military-industrial complex, which is now working 24/7."
The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based defense think tank, estimates that around 80,000 troops, including some from North Korea, are ranged against Ukraine in Kursk.
Ahead of Putin's invasion in February 2022, the region was a critical rally point for the massive buildup of forces along the border; columns of tanks from a major military base in the area were among the first to pour into Ukraine's neighboring Kharkiv region.
Today, camouflaged encampments, troop carriers and military checkpoints are ever present. Anti-tank defenses line the highway and plastered across a building in Rylsk is a quote from Putin. "Being strong is a guarantee of national security for Russia," it reads.
Standing outside a store selling military uniforms, Margarita Akhapkina, 35, said "everyone" wants the war to be over. The mother of four, who said her husband has been serving in Putin's forces for three years, added that war had become "normal."
Many, including Stanislav Boikin, a 16-year-old high school student, are hopeful that Trump can help to secure a peace deal.
Speaking in English, the teenager said the American president was "a wonderful person."
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Here is the situation and the FACTS as of today:
Ukrainian troops risk being surrounded in Russia's Kursk region, where they staged an incursion more than six months ago.
Open-source maps show that Russian troops have retaken territory in Kursk, using a counteroffensive that has seen Moscow make its first advances into Ukraine's Sumy region on the other side of the border.
The move raises the prospect of Russian forces cutting Ukrainian supply lines and encircling Kyiv's troops. Newsweek has contacted the Ukrainian Defense Ministry for comment.
Ukraine War Map Shows Thousands of Kyiv's Troops at Risk of Encirclement - Newsweek
What happens if this war keeps going this way?
Back in 2022 Zelensky had a good chance to get a good deal. He might have done well in such a deal.
They are going to sit down and talk in Saudi Arabia next week and Zelensky still hasn't signed the rare minerals deal. I just don't see this ending well.
That's the real danger. A lost battle where thousands of soldiers are captured/killed will have massive ramifications.
Ironically, it is in Russia's Kursk region. One of the places the Russians learned the art of encirclement during the patriotic war.
It will not end well if the USA does not back Ukraine. The war will be prolonged ... shored up by EU nations.
This war will not end well unless Ukraine has strong backing. If the EU would follow Trump's irresponsible lead then Ukraine will be conquered by Russia. If they do not (which is how they are proceeding) and Trump continues to weaken Ukraine, then we will see more bloodshed for the forseeable future as the USA abdicates its role as leader of the free world.
If, however, the USA were to come on strong with the EU / NATO that will enable a negotiation. Russia is in bad shape with a diminished army and a fucked up economy. Putin got a boost in the arm by playing Trump's trashing of Ukraine and blaming Ukraine for starting the war ... no doubt that is playing continuously on Russian media. Another idiotic move by the buffoon. But we still have the ability to return to the table and assume our traditional role.
My guess is that Trump will continue on the trajectory we see before us. Disgracefully and irresponsibly.
Back them how?
Biden didn't seem to want them to win or lose. Now we have a new administration that wants to negotiate a peace deal. That means we sit between both sides at the table.
This war will not end well unless Ukraine has strong backing.
Strong backing is what Zelensky gets out of negotiating. As a matter of fact, the only question will be how far back Putin can be pushed from where he is.
If, however, the USA were to come on strong with the EU that will enable a negotiation. Russia is in bad shape with a diminished army and a fucked up economy.
We have already given them billions plus crucial high-tech weapons. How did that work in the past 3 years? I know that Russia is in bad shape. Is it your belief that another year of fighting will have Russia giving up?
Putin got a boost in the arm by playing Trump's trashing of Ukraine and blaming Ukraine for starting the war ... no doubt that is playing continuously on Russian media. Another idiotic move by the buffoon. But we still have the ability to return to the table and assume our traditional role.
No, Trump wanted a peace deal and Zelensky who btw has campaigned against Trump wants to either run the negotiations or keep fighting. I am sure he figures Trump wants the deal real bad for his legacy and that is exactly the way he's played it.
My guess is that Trump will continue on the trajectory we see before us.
My guess is Putin isn't going to sit down with Zelensky saying FUCK YOU and demanding that Ukraine gets armed to the teeth and Putin gives back everything he took. That is never going to happen and right now a good part of the Ukraine army is cut off from its supplies.
By returning as an ally supporting Ukraine against an invader (Russia). Starting with publicly stating that Russia invaded Ukraine in an unprovoked attack.
If Trump were to include strong backing as part of a minerals deal, I am quite confident Zelensky would sign the deal.
And that was not enough.
I am not pushing for another year of fighting. I am pushing for a tilting the playing field in Ukraine's favor and then engaging in peace negotiations. This is the exact opposite of what Trump is doing.
If Trump were to include strong backing as part of a minerals deal, I am quite confident Zelensky would sign the deal.
There are other options than the extreme you present.
I'm 100% sure that Zelensky would sign the minerals deal for security. It is exactly what he wants.
Let us try to look at it logically. The minerals deal is not the peace deal. They are two separate deals. Let us assume for one minute that Trump decides to cave in to Zelensky and says "I'll put 10,000 soldiers from each European country plus our Delta Force into Ukraine and we'll give you a new squadron of F-16s plus heat seeking missiles and another billion dollars just for your signature on the minerals deal." Zelensky says great let me sign the minerals deal.
That only leaves one little detail: Zelensky announcing that he has no need to sit down with Putin.
Then why are you not critical of Trump for not providing security as part of the deal?
That is the problem!
Make the terms of peace part of the deal.
Does this not make you sick to see the USA abdicate its long-term role as leader of the free world and essentially be no longer seen as an ally? And worse, to see the USA seek to cripple its allies?
Peace through strength
Senator Bennet may be Sen Majority Leader by Jan 2027...
The conflicted, spineless GOPMAGA controlling both bodies of Congress and abdicating checks and balances on Trump is a terrible situation for this nation to be in.
Every single person in the US that backs Ukraine needs to get the hell up and get over there now. They need fighters to feed to the Russian meat grinder; not worthless platitudes and Trump bashing.
Put you bodies where your morals and loyalties obviously are. US tax payer dollars and military hardware will stay here. I am sure Europe can provide just as good of military equipment as the US. That is once they get off their asses and get their own militaries up to snuff to ensure their own protection. That could take at least a decade or more given the way they blather and procrastinate.
Who knows, if you all hold out for 4 short years you might luck out and get a Democrat back in charge who will be more than happy to go back to allowing the European tail to again wag the US dog.
A General that can't do simple damn math. Ukraine will run out of people who can fight long before Russia will. End of story.
What makes me sick is that every time Trump tries to be reasonable, he is being charged with appeasement. The people who appeased Putin were Obama and Biden. It was Obama on an open mic who asked the Russians to give him a little time & space so he could win an election. The Russians did and Obama rewarded them by screwing Ukraine on the missiles. Biden was the one who called Putin a killer, yet said he would accept a mild incursion.
Putin invaded Crimea under Obama and the Ukraine under Biden. He did not invade under Trump.
Those are the FACTS.
Be specific. Where is Trump trying to be reasonable?
Well then you can argue that Obama appeased Putin. But that is just more deflection since we are talking about the current PotUS.
So, where exactly is Trump trying to be reasonable? Start with clear premises (ideally facts) and make an actual argument.
And be prepared to deal with my rebuttal which will show were Trump is being unreasonable. (My task is much easier to accomplish than yours.)
Is it not reasonable to hold Russia in check until negotiations begin?
WASHINGTON—President Trump said he is “strongly considering” imposing far-reaching sanctions and tariffs on Russia until a peace agreement is reached in the war in Ukraine.
“Based on the fact that Russia is absolutely ‘pounding’ Ukraine on the battlefield right now, I am strongly considering large scale Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs on Russia until a Cease Fire and FINAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ON PEACE IS REACHED,” Trump wrote on social media on Friday.
Trump Threatens to Hit Russia With Sanctions in Push for Peace Deal
Is it not reasonable to give Zelensky a 4th chance to sign the minerals deal?
Well then you can argue that Obama appeased Putin.
Yes, I have, successfully so.
But that is just more deflection since we are talking about the current PotUS.
The only leader trying to end the war.
Yes, that is exactly what Trump should do. Now how do you consider Trump holding Russia in check with his mere threat of more sanctions when he:
A competent negotiator would strengthen the position of the ally to at least a level playing field and then engage in negotiation. But not this buffoon. Trump instead weakens Ukraine's bargaining position and, worse, takes actions that exacerbate their losses and loss of life.
And here he goes again delivering propaganda for Putin and weakening Ukraine's position.
What would be reasonable is to give Ukraine a fair deal and not extort them in their time of need. A fair deal would be to give Ukraine what it wants (and what Trump clearly claims they need) which is a security guarantee in return for mineral rights.
Trump is trying to force Ukraine to capitulate. That is a cowardly act. He is taking the easy way out by throwing our ally under the bus and kowtowing to our enemy (Putin/Russia). Let's see some real negotiation. Instead of appeasing a dictator (because that, Vic, is what Trump has been doing) he should be leveling the playing field and negotiating a peace agreement where both sides get just enough so that they can stop the bloodshed. Neither side wins, but enough is gained to enable peace.
Let's see him actually try to do that. So far we see him doing what his "I can end this war with a phone call" implies ... that he would simply force Ukraine to capitulate. Trump is a sociopath who does not give one shit about anyone else so getting the war to end no matter how accomplished is just fine with him.
He did that way back when he gave them Javelin missiles.
which is a security guarantee in return for mineral rights.
A security guarantee in return for mineral rights means WWIII.
Trump is trying to force Ukraine to capitulate.
To what? Sitting down at the negotiating table.
Personally, I think Trump should walk away at this point. Zelensky is sold on what Biden sold him on: namely that he should sacrifice every Ukrainian to bleed Putin to the point of being replaced. Putin is also in a bad state, but he too would just as well wrap this up before something strange happens to him. What Putin doesn't realize is that he is already fighting the strongest military power in Europe.
Trump should take solace in making an attempt to end the war peacefully.
Try to focus on what we are talking about.
No, Vic, he is clearly taking actions to weaken them into capitulation. Ukraine is the ally, Russia (Putin) is the adversary. Ukraine is the victim, Russia (Putin) is the aggressor.
You do not weaken the victim and parrot the talking points of the aggressor if you are trying to facilitate peace. You get that, right?
Trump is pretty much doing this.
Yet he did not make such an attempt. He has and is trying to make Ukraine capitulate. Denying the obvious does not change reality.
Please show me where Zelensky Told Trump, "Fuck You", because that is the inference that I got from your sentence.
Then you got it wrong. Zelensky wants to say "Fuck You" to Putin. He wants to have his security now, before he sits down at the table, which makes no sense for a negotiation.
We know that Putin invaded Ukraine. We know who the aggressor was. This is a Peace negotiation, not an alliance treaty.
Trump is pretty much doing this.
The negotiations begin this week in Saudi Arabia and Trump is going in there without the minerals deal. He is going in there like the parent who has his kid making the decisions. It is clear that he wants this deal in the worst way.
I would much prefer him telling the nation that he cannot bring the two sides together and the US has done all it can.
Yet he did not make such an attempt.
You mean you refuse to give him the credit he deserves.
Yet Trump claimed the opposite. And you support this buffoon.
Trump continues to fuck up peace negotiations:
A competent negotiator would strengthen the position of the ally to at least a level playing field and then engage in negotiation. But not this buffoon. Trump instead weakens Ukraine's bargaining position and, worse, takes actions that exacerbate their losses and loss of life.
And you think he deserves net credit. Open your eyes.
Let's see Trump rally stronger support for Ukraine to level the playing field and then engage in serious peace negotiations from a position of strength. Putin invaded Ukraine, not the other way around.
Ok, Let me know when Zelensky wins the war.
The issue is what Trump is going to do. Will he continue to fuck this up by turning on allies and kowtowing to Putin or will he be responsible and rational. (rhetorical)
So far he has made matters much worse and is a major embarrassment for the USA.
Putin just rejected giving up territory or allowing peacekeepers.
Putin unwilling to compromise on Ukraine, sets maximalist demands, Bloomberg reports
them we should supply and support Ukraine more, Putin had his chance
Do you mean end the pause or go back to endless blank checks.
Of course. Why would you expect Putin to be cooperative when the PotUS is parroting his talking points? When the PotUS is playing 24x7 on Russian media claiming that Ukraine started the war and that they have effectively lost. When the PotUS has cut Ukraine off from aid and information.
No shit, Vic, Trump is supporting Putin so Putin will obviously not seek compromise.
Peace through strength. The USA and EU can clearly put forth stronger support for Ukraine and change the dynamics so that Putin is more cooperative. Build a bigger stick and set it in the corner.
give them what they need to win. It will be easier to deal with a weak Russia after this is over than if Russia wins and thinks they can get away with stuff. And, our troops are not doing the fighting,
Do not snatch a defeat from the jaws of victory.
The check to deal with Russia if they win in Ukraine will be much bigger than helping fund somebody else to do the job.
"Peace through strength"
That is the only way to enjoy peace
I agree, when dealing with a tyrant like Putin he will not stop unless limited by force.
I totally agree with you Charger.
All we are saying. Give peace a chance. #koeln #rosenmontag #ukrainewar #protest
While I agree and have agreed with that for the last three years nothing has happened to make me believe it is a possibility. For the most part Putin has dictated how far the allies can go before Russia considers it a direct attack on them. The allies have gone up to the line but show no desire to cross it.
Exactly, you have no defense for Trump’s irrational actions.
Tell that to Russia. Russia is the one who started the war.
"Peace through tyranny!" --- Megatron
We have.
Now we have to tell the left.
Russia is clearly not interested in peace. Only conquest.
"All we are saying is give peace a chance."
Posts 1.2.31 & 1.2.36
trump respects putin for reneging on peace treaties ...
Which is why rightwing conservative Republicans can trust anything the Russian people say about how wonderful their lives under Putin are. I mean, that's what's been such an apparent draw for conservatives here in the States, how completely open and free the Russian people are to express themselves...right? /s
Tucker Carlson, rightwing conservative hero says, "I’m just saying like Russia, actually, for a country at war, is thriving". Yes, thriving! Conservatives think a country is "thriving" when they have a law that could jail them for 15 years for saying anything negative about Putin or the war against Ukraine. Good job conservatives! /s
Clearly, when the US and conservatives kneel before Putin and hand him Ukraine on a silver platter because, as they say, to do anything else will just cost them more money, fuck the humans lives at stake here, I'm sure Putin will restore those Ukrainian lands to "freedom" where they have free and fair elections and can speak their minds on just about any subject, other than anything critical of Putin or the government or the war or the economy or the oligarchs or, or, or...
Are people really this stupid? Do these Putin apologists who claim to be Americans actually think capitulating to Putin will bring about a better outcome? Or is it all about the few cents each of them have to pay out of their tax dollars they can't stand to spend to defend western democracy allies and global trade partners? Fucking simps.
This is the reason leftists support Ukraine- they are only slightly better than Russia when it comes to Human Rights violations.
Here is a report from NATO member Slovenia detailing the Ukrainian government's human rights abuses before the start of the war.
They do the exact same things as the Russians do; and yet they are getting rewarded for it.
Since the war started you are supporting a fascist country that has banned political parties; arrested political opponents; outlawed the Orthodox Church; banned independent media stations and only allows two state run stations; rolled Nazi and Fascist groups into key government positions and the military; and Zelenskyy has suspended all elections becoming dictator in chief.
This is the country leftists want to risk our own financial welfare and security for. Stop being Xi's puppet. The only country that benefits from the US wasting resources in Ukraine is China- and we all know how much Democrats love China.
You literally linked a Russian State disinformation website from the Russian Embassy in Slovenia to support your claims.
"The Embassy of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Slovenia"
First source on the Russian embassy website is to... wait for it... RT!
Seriously? This is pure fucking Russian propaganda at its finest and the rightwing here in the US clearly just gobble that shit up without even blinking because it's the lie they want to believe. Truly disgusting.
And no, they don't do "the exact same things as the Russians", that is A FUCKING LIE AND RUSSIAN REGURITATED PROPAGANDA! My God, what does it take to get that Russian bullshit out of some people's heads. I guess it's impossible when some intentionally shovel it in there. But why would anyone want to do that unless they were some sort of, oh, I don't know, Russian sympathizer, or perhaps just a rightwing authoritarian loving simp?
Evil must be opposed, not appeased.
Indeed. History has shown that appeasement doesn't work.
Unless that evil is China. Then Democrats and leftists roll over and play dead.
... china, where trumpski's billionaire pals get their products to sell to american consumers?
That's pathetic.
China might just invade Taiwan after watching Trump turn his back on friends and allies, and you'll be here blaming 'Democrats and leftists' for that too.
they'll skip taiwan and just invade the US with trumpski's $5 million dollar gold card carriers ...
unless that evil is russia. then maga happily rolls over with enthusiasm ...
Trumpist traitors are happy Ukraine is being pushed out of Kursk.