Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly expressed frustration over a lack of concrete detail from European allies regarding promised long-term security guarantees for his country.
Unanswered Questions on Future Defence
Speaking on Wednesday, Zelenskyy stated he had not received a "clear, unequivocal answer" from partners on how they would defend Ukraine if Russia were to launch another major invasion after any potential future peace deal. This follows an announcement by European leaders and US envoys on Tuesday of agreed key security guarantees for Kyiv, which included plans for a European multinational force to be deployed should a ceasefire be reached.
"I personally very much want to get a very simple answer: yes, if there is aggression again, all partners will give a strong response to the Russians," Zelenskyy said. He acknowledged the "political will" from allies but stressed that until guarantees are legally binding and backed by parliaments, including the US Congress, the question remains unresolved.
UK Parliament to Vote on Troop Deployment
In related developments, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer informed Parliament that British MPs would be given a vote on the final number of troops sent to Ukraine should a peace agreement be established. The troops would be tasked with conducting deterrent operations and protecting military hubs.
However, Downing Street could not confirm whether a negative vote in the Commons would prevent deployment. The proposal drew concern from Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, who warned that "boots on the ground in Ukraine was a red line for Putin" and could be used to undermine peace talks.
Russian Attacks Intensify Humanitarian Crisis
As diplomatic discussions continue, the situation on the ground remains severe. Late on Wednesday, Russian strikes knocked out power supplies almost entirely in the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions of south-eastern Ukraine, according to the energy ministry.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko warned that impending snowfalls and temperatures plunging to minus 20C would compound the disruptions to electricity and heating. In a separate attack on Wednesday, Russian forces targeted two key seaports in the Odesa region, killing one person and injuring eight others.
Despite the ongoing assault, Ukraine's central bank reported that foreign currency reserves grew to a record high of $57.3 billion in early January, underpinned by substantial foreign support. Military spending has surged from around $7 billion in 2021 to over $70 billion last year, with the government heavily reliant on external aid for defence and social spending.
