US and Europe weigh plans for Ukrainian government in exile

Western officers have additionally been cautious of discussing a authorities in exile instantly with Zelensky as a result of he needs to remain in Kyiv and has to date rejected conversations that concentrate on something aside from boosting Ukraine in its combat in opposition to Russia, two Western diplomats stated. They added that there have been discussions about sending a number of members of Zelensky’s authorities to an exterior location the place a authorities may very well be arrange in case Kyiv falls and Zelensky is unwilling or unable to get out.

US and European officers believed within the earlier days of the warfare that Zelensky transferring to Lviv is perhaps possible as a result of it was not clear whether or not Russia would goal western Ukraine. However now — given Russia’s dramatic escalation during the last a number of days in opposition to civilian targets throughout Ukraine — they aren’t as positive that Russia will spare any inch of Ukrainian territory.

“All of the indicators are that [Putin] goes to proceed,” a senior Western intelligence official stated Friday. “And I feel the scraping the underside of the barrel in a few of these different locations is indicative that now they actually should go all in, actually, not simply figuratively, to be sure that they will proceed” to take the entire nation.

One concept that has been floated, however stays unlikely, is the potential for NATO establishing a no-fly zone over a small portion of western Ukraine, the Western officers and US lawmakers acquainted with the discussions stated. That in concept would offer a perch for Zelensky’s authorities and permit Ukraine to construct and hone an insurgency in opposition to Russian forces — one thing the intelligence official stated wouldn’t require that Kyiv stay standing.

“The indicators are that [the Ukrainians] can maintain a combat, even a standard one, with out centralized command and management from the Capitol,” the official stated.

However the sources acknowledged that NATO establishing a no-fly zone over western Ukraine is very inconceivable for a similar the reason why it has refused to impose a no-fly zone over your entire nation — as a result of it will seemingly imply direct engagement with the Russian navy.

If there have been an try to shut some components of Ukrainian airspace, it’s extra seemingly it will be coordinated by a “coalition of the keen,” reasonably than by NATO as a bloc, one of many sources stated. Equally, the West’s willingness to fund and help a Ukrainian insurgency varies amongst NATO member states, the sources stated, with some extra reluctant than others given the danger of Russian retaliation.

US and European officers have informed Zelensky they’re ready to assist him evacuate Ukraine, CNN beforehand reported. However he has to date refused.