Ukrainian Civilians React with Anger to Proposed Land Swap for Peace

As the summit between Presidents Trump and Putin concludes, Ukrainian civilians displaced by the ongoing conflict in eastern Donetsk express outrage and frustration at the prospect of a territorial swap and security guarantees that would see Ukraine cede land to Russia for peace. Valentyna Shevchenko, a 69-year-old children's author, has fled her home after 21 years and is now living in a shelter with thousands of others. "It's not right that the presidents of two other countries discuss our fate without us," she said, clutching her poetry books. The proposed deal would see Ukraine give up land in the Donbas region, including areas currently held by Ukrainian forces. European officials have confirmed that Russia is demanding all of eastern Donetsk, despite Trump's claims that a territorial swap is on the table.

Key Takeaways:

• Valentyna Shevchenko, a 69-year-old children's author, has fled her home in eastern Donetsk after 21 years and is now living in a shelter with thousands of others.
• The proposed territorial swap would see Ukraine give up land in the Donbas region, including areas currently held by Ukrainian forces.
• European officials have confirmed that Russia is demanding all of eastern Donetsk, a move that would see Ukraine cede land to Russia for peace.
• Thousands of civilians have been displaced by the conflict, with many forced to leave their homes with only a few bags of clothes.
• Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky was not invited to the summit, sparking further outrage among Ukrainian civilians.
• The shelter in Pavlohrad is now home to over 2,200 people, with almost 50 people arriving every hour.
• Valentyna Shevchenko has written over 20 children's books, including "A Wonderful Adventure," but her life has been drastically changed by the conflict.

Statistics:

• 2,200 people have passed through the shelter in Pavlohrad in the last week alone.
• 20% of Ukraine is now occupied by Russia, including the Donbas region and the Crimean peninsula.
• Thousands of civilians have been displaced by the conflict, with many forced to leave their homes with only a few bags of clothes.
• 50 people arrive every hour at the shelter in Pavlohrad.
• 300 people once lived in the village of Oleksandrivka in Donetsk, but now only nine people remain.

Sources:

• _The New York Times_
• _https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/01/17/world/ukraine-russia-summit.html_
• Photograph by Finbarr O'Reilly for The New York Times