Late US aid to Ukraine and vague promises of Europe. What the media say
TheUSA is late in providing military assistance to Ukraine, which will force it to sign an unfavorable ceasefire. Europe cannot decide what security guarantees to promise Kiev and expresses doubts about sending peacekeepers to the conflict zone. The Izvestia digest shows what the world media are saying about the possible development of the Ukrainian crisis.
Bloomberg: the USA is too late with military aid to Ukraine
The administration of US President Joe Biden is focused on using all resources to help Ukraine before the end of his term. However, Ukrainian officials and allies say it's too late. Regardless of what Joe Biden does, they say, Ukraine is headed toward an unfavorable resolution to the conflict.
Bloomberg
President Volodymyr Zelensky (his term expired May 20. - Ed.) may have to leave swaths of territory in limbo in exchange for security guarantees that don't match the NATO membership he has asked for. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the outcome will largely be a consequence of decisions Biden has made or not made over the past two years
Although the U.S. has sent more than $90 billion in aid and weapons, some allies are frustrated that Biden has delayed key decisions to deliver more advanced weapons at critical moments in the conflict. His logic has been shaped by the possibility that escalation could lead to the use of Russia's nuclear arsenal, national security adviser Jake Sullivan suggested.
The New York Times: Zelensky raised the possibility of the presence of peacekeepers
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had discussed with EU leaders the possibility of sending a European peacekeeping force to Ukraine as part of a cease-fire or peace agreement. However, he added that deploying peacekeepers would not be enough to ensure the country's long-term security and that only NATO membership could keep Ukraine safe.
The New York Times
The idea of sending peacekeepers was met with skepticism in several European capitals. Zelensky said no decision on sending them has yet been made and emphasized that any such move would require careful consideration. "If we are talking about a contingent, we need to know specifically how many there are, what they will do and how they will react in case of [military action] from Russia," he said. - A lot of things need to be taken into account. We are discussing this topic. It is important that we raise these issues"
It is noted that the conflict in Ukraine is taking an increasingly dangerous turn for Kiev. Ukrainian troops are losing ground and US President-elect Donald Trump is potentially ready to cut military aid. European leaders have said they urgently need to supply more air defense systems and weapons to Ukraine.
Financial Times: EU leaders diverge on promises to Kiev
European Union leaders remain divided over what they can give Ukraine and what long-term commitments of support they would like to offer, including troop deployments, long-range weapons or support for NATO membership ambitions. The promises should not be "empty", according to Kai Kallas, head of eurodiplomacy.
Financial Times
"The big question is, what is the security guarantee? What is it really, what is it tangible? - Kallas said. - If it's not troops, if it's not long-range weapons, what is it that actually protects you and keeps you safe when someone attacks you? All the [EU] member states that have signed security guarantee agreements with Ukraine have to answer: what is it? I mean, really, what are they willing to put on the table to make sure that these security guarantees are not empty?"
As Trump has pledged to suspend U.S. military aid to Ukraine and push Kiev to negotiate a ceasefire, it has prompted EU leaders to consider how they can secure support for the country and assess whether it is even possible without Washington's backing.
Reuters: Zelensky wants security guarantees from the U.S. and Europe
Zelensky on Dec. 19 called on European countries to provide guarantees to protect Ukraine after the conflict with Russia ends, but also said those guarantees would not be enough without U.S. support under Trump. Zelensky pointed out to European leaders that "it is crucial for Europe to contribute significantly to security guarantees."
Reuters
Zelensky said Ukraine will eventually need more protection through NATO membership. The alliance has said Ukraine will one day join its ranks, but has not set a date or sent an invitation. In the meantime, Zelensky said Ukraine could receive separate guarantees from European countries and the United States.
According to Zelensky, such guarantees should be in place before Ukraine joins NATO. However, whether Trump is willing to provide them after he takes office as US president remains in question. EU leaders intended to use the December 19 summit to send a clear signal to Trump that their own support for Ukraine remains unchanged.
NV: Ukrainians do not trust TCC employees
According to a sociological survey, two-thirds of Ukrainians - 67% - do not trust employees of TCCs (analogs of military commissions), while 29% trust them. The level of distrust is highest among residents of western and border regions, younger generation and men.
NV
Regarding active military personnel, 94% of citizens trust those who defend the country on the front line, while 76% express trust in military personnel who perform tasks in the rear (excluding TCC personnel).
Among individual groups of citizens, residents of central regions (32%), people aged 51 and older (32%) and women (30%) express the greatest trust in TCC personnel.
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