Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Declares He Lacks Clear Defense Guarantee from Partner Nations
President Zelensky has stated that Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him concrete pledges that they will defend Ukraine in the event of a fresh offensive by Russia.
"I am asking this very question to all our partners and thus far, the answer remains elusive a definitive and straightforward response yet," he stated to the press on midweek.
These remarks follow a day after the UK and France signed a statement of purpose on stationing forces in Ukraine if a peace deal to conclude the conflict with Moscow is agreed.
However, full security guarantees have yet to be solidified. The United States, which has been spearheading initiatives to end the invasion, reportedly did not sign such a pledge at talks in Paris on the previous day.
Details of the Paris Talks
Following the negotiations in Paris, which involved some 30 countries that comprise the group termed the 'Coalition of the Willing', UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the two nations would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, while France's President Macron subsequently indicated thousands of troops may be sent.
Allies proposed that the US would take the lead in overseeing any ceasefire. But the central sticking point of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as a component of the settlement terms are continuing to be negotiated.
The Russian government has not yet commented on the declaration made in the city of Paris.
President Putin initiated a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow now occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
Zelensky's Shifting Tone
The UK Prime Minister characterized the bilateral declaration as "an essential component of our dedication to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future".
He added: "It establishes the pathway for the legal framework under which allied military personnel could operate on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the future."
The Ukrainian leader praised that agreement as a "huge step forward".
Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he seemed more cautious.
"I perceive the determination, the political will, and that the partners are ready, and the partners are ready to give us robust economic measures, powerful defense assurances," he said when asked if nations in Europe would defend Ukraine.
"However, until we don't have such binding security pacts - legally binding, endorsed by legislatures, supported by the United States Congress - this crucial issue remains unresolved. And even if they do, you must ultimately depend first and foremost on your own strength."
Persistent Challenges and Fighting
Negotiations in Paris were also notable owing to the attendance of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
Witkoff said the participating countries "largely finished" their work on agreeing security protocols.
Last week, Zelensky said a settlement was "90% ready".
Territorial concessions and defense pledges have been at the forefront of outstanding matters for negotiators.
Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's military must pull back from the entirety of the Donbas region or Russia will seize it, dismissing potential concessions over how to end the war.
Zelensky has so far ruled out relinquishing any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an established line - but provided that Russia did the same.
Moscow now holds about 75% of the Donetsk oblast, and some nearly all of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions form the Donbas industrial heartland.
It has been intensifying attacks against Ukrainian cities - particularly targeting energy infrastructure. Russia has also made incremental advances in seizing additional Ukrainian land.
Ukrainian forces have retaliated at Russian targets with unmanned aerial vehicles, though with more limited success.
