Ukrainians in snowy Kyiv wish for peace in new year

Ukrainians in a snow-covered Kyiv welcomed the New Year on Wednesday (December 31) with hopes for peace, placing their trust in the nation’s armed forces despite doubts that the conflict with neighboring Russia will end soon.

Iryna, a 47-year-old soldier whose husband was killed in combat, said that while everyone wanted to believe in peace, it was important to remain “realistic.”

Anna Linnik, also 47, expressed skepticism, noting that she did not believe peace would be possible as long as Russian President Vladimir Putin remained in power.

Meanwhile, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Tuesday (December 30) that peace in Ukraine could be achieved within weeks with U.S. security guarantees, although he acknowledged that success is still “far from 100% certain.”

-Production: Anna Voitenko, Daria Smetanko/Reuters