[Jimbuna]

Security guarantees should include presence of allies in air and Black Sea – Foreign Ministry spokesman Tykhyi

The presence of allies in the airspace of Ukraine and the Black Sea is being discussed as part of security guarantees.

This was stated by Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi, Censor.NET reports citing Ukrinform.

"Any long-term security should include an increased presence of our allies in the Black Sea and in the air. We are already talking about this with them at the talks and believe that this is a serious topic that needs to be discussed," Tykhyi said.

He noted that these security parameters could be discussed at the European Council meeting on March 6 and at some other meetings.

At the same time, Tykhyi cautioned that there are no specifics on the numbers, location and form of a possible allied contingent in Ukraine. Instead, there is a broad European discussion in which Ukraine is participating, and within its framework, different countries are expressing their opinions.

Speaking about the aviation component, the diplomat emphasized the importance of closing the skies in Ukraine, which "is no less, and maybe even more important, than ground troops on the ground."

"It is Russia's dominance in the skies that currently allows it to dominate the battlefield and continue to terrorize Ukrainian cities, communities and villages," the spokesman added.

"Control is quite possible. It has been carried out in many countries, and even the proximity of Russian aircraft or the front line is not an obstacle. Similarly, patrols are carried out in the skies over the Baltic...," the diplomat noted, mentioning Syria in this context. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3538338

Russia will never agree to deployment of EU peacekeepers in Ukraine – Lukashenko

Self-proclaimed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has said that Russia will allegedly never agree to the deployment of peacekeepers from the European Union in Ukraine.

According to Censor.NET, Lukashenko said this in an interview with American blogger Mario Naufal, BelTA quoted him as saying.

"As for sending peacekeeping forces there (to Ukraine - ed.). Russia will never agree to this. At least, this is Russia's position today," he said.

According to Lukashenko, the EU leadership, primarily from Germany and France, is taking a "very aggressive position."

"I don't know if Trump managed to persuade them to the side of peace and peace talks in his talks with Macron and Starmer, but you can see that they are taking a very aggressive stance on the war between Russia and Ukraine. That is why Russia is categorically against any peacekeeping forces from European states," he added.

Peacekeeping forces in Ukraine

Earlier it was reported that French President Emmanuel Macron would discuss with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk the deployment of peacekeeping forces in Ukraine if an agreement is reached to end the current phase of the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk denied that Polish troops would be sent to Ukraine after the ceasefire.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas assessed the possibility of sending a European peacekeeping mission to Ukraine.

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crozetto expressed his readiness to support a peacekeeping mission to Ukraine if peace is achieved.

In turn, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called these discussions "premature."

Germany, together with its partners, will consider the possible deployment of peacekeepers in Ukraine as part of "security guarantees" only after the conditions are created, namely a ceasefire with Russia.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has stated that several countries are currently considering participation in a potential contingent of Western allies in Ukraine. However, specific plans for the deployment of foreign troops are still under discussion. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3538335