Ukrainian service members want the war to end, but a ceasefire without credible security guarantees could lead to another Russian invasion. Alina Mykhailova, head of the medical service of Ukraine’s 59th Brigade and a member of Kyiv City Council, made the remarks in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda. She also warned against potential concessions to Russia, particularly any reduction in the size of Ukraine’s armed forces.
Commenting on the negotiations involving Ukraine, the United States and Russia, Mykhailova stressed that military personnel are among those most eager to see the fighting end. However, she said the central question is not simply whether a ceasefire can be reached, but how long it would last.
“Military personnel are the first to want victory or some kind of ceasefire. The questions are, first, on what terms, and second, how long that ceasefire would last,” she said.
According to Mykhailova, freezing the conflict could prove meaningless if Russia uses the pause to rebuild its military capabilities and launches another offensive several years later.
She also acknowledged that liberating all Russian-occupied territories, including Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk, does not appear achievable in the coming years. At the same time, Ukraine cannot continue fighting indefinitely under the current conditions, making it necessary to seek a compromise.
However, she insisted that Kyiv must negotiate from a position of strength.
Mykhailova believes Washington, having failed to reach an agreement with Moscow, is increasing pressure on Ukraine, including through financial assistance. Under these circumstances, she argued, Ukraine must maintain its fundamental positions.
She was particularly critical of any potential demands to reduce the size of Ukraine’s armed forces.
In her view, even after hostilities cease, Ukraine should strengthen rather than downsize its military, while expanding domestic weapons production, technological development and defense capabilities.
“We must continue building up our military capabilities and strengthening our position in weapons production and the development of the latest technologies,” Mykhailova emphasized.
The military officer also questioned whether Ukraine’s international partners are prepared to establish conditions that would prevent renewed Russian aggression.
“I really wouldn’t want to return to the military in five years and fight Russia all over again. Our partners also need to take a strong position. But so far, I don’t see that happening,” she said.
Mykhailova believes European countries underestimate the scale of the threat. She argued that Russian aggression is not limited to Ukraine and could eventually threaten Moldova, Romania and Poland.
At the same time, she expressed confidence in Ukraine’s negotiating team. She considers it unlikely that the Ukrainian government would accept terms that society finds unacceptable, warning that such decisions could trigger widespread domestic protests.
Nevertheless, her greatest concern remains unchanged: even after a peace agreement is signed, Ukrainians may eventually find themselves fighting another war.
“Right now, I see absolutely no prospect of ensuring that we won’t have to go to war with Russia again if we stop fighting now,” Mykhailova concluded.
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