Zelenskyy: UN can’t stop Putin’s aggression without security troops
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine
supports good ties with the UN but rejects it as a security alternative,
speaking at a press conference with Czech President Petr Pavel on March 21, Interfax-Ukraine reported.
“Regarding the UN, with all due respect — the UN will not
protect us from occupation or Putin’s [Russian dictator] desire to come again.
We do not see the UN as an alternative to a contingent or security guarantees.
We maintain reasonable, logical relations with the UN, its representatives, and
the secretary-general, but the UN cannot be an alternative to security
guarantees,” Zelenskyy said.
At the same time, the Ukrainian president suggested that if
Putin decides to attack again and the UN does not have a mandate to defend
Ukraine, it remains uncertain whether such a mandate would exist for a
contingent.
“So far, there is no answer to this question, but
undoubtedly, when there are clear troops, air defense, ships, planes, and a
serious army — with real intelligence from our partners here in Ukraine — it is
undoubtedly very dangerous to go against such infrastructure. Will Russia fear
the UN? They have violated everything with this war, so I don’t think they will
be afraid,” Zelenskyy added.
Earlier, The Telegraph reported that French President
Emmanuel Macron is considering creating a UN-led mission that could prevent
another Russian attack on Ukraine if a peace agreement is reached.
According to the British outlet, Macron is exploring various
scenarios that could replace the deployment of a European military contingent
to Ukraine. The plan is being developed in cooperation with British Prime Minister
Keir Starmer.
On March 13, it was reported that Starmer
and Macron are negotiating with 37 countries to create a “coalition of the
willing” to send peacekeepers to Ukraine.
Previously, Zelenskyy had said that Ukraine
was open to any peacekeeping contingent. Meanwhile, the Pentagon
stated that the United States would not send troops to Ukraine.
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