Kathrine Frich
Ukraine’s search for a durable peace remains clouded by uncertainty, and Western promises have yet to provide Kyiv with anything resembling firm protection.
That was the message from NAF Major Jānis Slaidiņš, who said that the gap between political declarations and actual security guarantees remains the central obstacle blocking any meaningful agreement.
He spoke on TV24’s program “Current Affairs in the War in Ukraine,” where he also reacted to Vladimir Putin’s latest statements on ending the conflict.
Missing guarantees
Slaidiņš argued that Ukraine still has no binding commitments to prevent future aggression.
He dismissed Washington’s promise that “we will give Ukraine security guarantees when peace is concluded” as insufficient,
Instead he insisted that Kyiv must secure explicit protections before any deal is signed. Without that clarity, he said, Russia would be left free to strike again.
The major added that demands involving Ukraine’s army size or language policies are internal matters and should not be dictated from outside.
While talk of concessions continues, he noted that little is said about Russia taking responsibility for its actions.
Not a defeated state
Slaidiņš also said that the conditions being floated by Moscow resemble terms reserved for a country that has been decisively beaten in war.
“Looking at the map,” he argued, “Ukraine is not in such a position and should not be treated as if it were.”
He said Kyiv understands that only Donald Trump is currently capable of negotiating a freeze in hostilities, while Europe plays only a marginal role.
“In Russia’s view,” he added, “European governments are not seen as ‘serious players’ in determining the terms of any settlement.”
Putin’s conditions
The Russian president recently repeated his own formula for ending the war:
“Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the occupied territories, then the fighting will end. If they do not withdraw, then Russia will achieve this by force.”
He also sought to reassure European states by saying Moscow could formally state that it has no intention of attacking the continent.
Slaidiņš cautioned that such statements carry little value. According to him, every previous commitment signed by Russia has ultimately been ignored.
The major concluded that Ukraine cannot rely on Russian assurances of any kind.
“Believing a Russian is completely pointless. The fact that you can’t trust anyone has been proven for centuries,” he said.
Sources: LA.LV.
