Why Some Zolote Residents Oppose Disengagement of Forces

Discussion of the Steinmeier formula has been dominating the headlines in Ukraine ever since the recently elected Zelenskyy administration unveiled their plan for bringing an end to the conflict in the Donbas. Cries of ‘capitulation’ have been raised as protests swept the country, accusing the government of ‘selling out’ to the Russians in their efforts to resolve the conflict. A major sticking point of protesters has been the planned withdrawal of troops from three contact points on the front line – the villages of Stanytsia Luhanska, Petrivske, and Zolote. Our correspondent traveled to the region to see what the people of Zolote, on the front line, think about the upcoming withdrawal of Ukrainian forces.