Peace, but at what cost?
Like many Ukrainians, Danylo is tired of the war.
鈥淗onestly, I鈥檓 tired. Everyone I know is tired. It feels like we鈥檝e been living the same day on repeat 鈥 air raids, blackouts, funerals, some victory news, then back to loss again,鈥 he said.
But amid the hardships, for Danylo, the war is a fight for dignity.
鈥淲hat keeps me here, what keeps most of us going, is simple: We鈥檙e fighting so no one can treat us like we鈥檙e disposable ever again,鈥 he added.
For Nastya, it is also a fight for freedom to speak out, even if some might find that message hard to listen to.
鈥淚 want a Ukraine where we stop being trapped between corrupt politicians and foreign interests. A Ukraine where life matters more than flags,鈥 she said.
Nastya is also of the opinion that Ukrainians are being used as cannon fodder to advance others鈥 interests.
鈥淗onestly? I want peace to be written into the Constitution, not just slogans about 鈥榟eroism鈥 and 鈥榮acrifice.鈥 Real commitments to diplomacy, to neutrality, to making sure future generations aren鈥檛 used as cannon fodder for geopolitics,鈥 she said.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 what I鈥檇 fight for 鈥 and I won鈥檛 be quiet about it. Even if they call me the enemy for wanting peace.鈥
As controversial as Nastya鈥檚 comments might be for a country at war, they also highlight the war fatigue experienced by many Ukrainians 鈥 and more importantly, the uncertainty as to the meaning of sacrifice and what awaits the country next.
Accountability and oversight
Certain corruption cases have eroded the trust of Ukrainians in the institution of law, especially when the country is fighting for its survival.
For Olena, a 25-year-old research assistant, the Constitution should hold officials accountable, especially those responsible for Ukraine鈥檚 defense.
As for what she would like to see changed in the Constitution:
鈥淐onstitutional liability for corruption in the defense sector, parliamentary control over defense spending and procurement, increasing the role of civilian oversight,鈥 Olena told Kyiv Post.
Several high-profile scandals in the defense sector have led to the sacking and resignation of senior officials, including the former Minister of Defense Oleksiy Reznikov, over the scandal involving the purchase of winter uniforms at inflated prices.
Numerous reforms have since been implemented and no new defense scandals have emerged, but confidence takes time to build, and Ukrainians like Danylo and Olena believe that the Constitution could be a vital instrument to increase transparency over such processes.
Gay rights and gun rights
Other Ukrainians interviewed by Kyiv Post also expressed their desire for certain rights to be respected through constitutional amendments after the war.
鈥淓qual rights for same sex couples,鈥 a director of studies at an English School told Kyiv Post when asked what she would like to see changed.
In Ukraine, homosexuality is legal, but same-sex marriage is not recognized 鈥 a step more lenient than Russia, which treats the international LGBT movement as 鈥渆xtremist鈥 鈥 but not as LGBTQ+ friendly as most Western nations.
The topic remains controversial in Ukraine due to the country鈥檚 strong religious influence, and bills to advance LGBTQ+ rights have encountered strong opposition from conservative groups.
Denys, a 47-year-old director of operations, wants gun rights.
鈥淐itizens should be allowed to possess firearms to protect themselves and others鈥 their property as well as their country,鈥 he told Kyiv Post.
While firearm possession is legal in Ukraine, it comes with heavy restrictions 鈥 civilians can obtain permits for hunting and sporting rifles, but handguns are out of the question.
But the abundance of trophy weapons remains a concern for a country at war. While the government has taken steps to address the issue by easing certain restrictions, how that would play out after the war remains to be seen.