Zelensky Asserts Absence of Clear Defense Guarantee from Partner Nations
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him concrete pledges that they will defend Ukraine in the case of a future Russian attack.
"I am asking this very question to all our partners and I have not received a definitive and straightforward response yet," he told reporters on Wednesday.
His comments come a day after Britain and France inked a statement of purpose on deploying troops in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to end the war with Russia is finalized.
However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The United States, which has been spearheading initiatives to halt the offensive, was reported to have abstained from signing such a pledge at discussions held in the French capital on the previous day.
Details of the Paris Talks
Following the negotiations in Paris, which included some three dozen nations that comprise the group termed the 'Coalition of the Willing', British PM Keir Starmer said the two nations would "set up operational bases across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, while French President Emmanuel Macron subsequently indicated thousands of troops may be deployed.
Allies proposed that the United States would take the lead in overseeing any ceasefire. But the central sticking point of ceding land 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 announcement made in the city of Paris.
President Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow now occupies about 20% of Ukraine's land.
The President's Evolving Stance
The UK Prime Minister characterized the bilateral declaration as "a vital part of our dedication to stand with Ukraine for the long-term".
He added: "It establishes the pathway for the legal framework under which British, French and partner forces could operate on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the future."
The Ukrainian leader praised that agreement as a "huge step forward".
Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he appeared less optimistic.
"I perceive the determination, the political resolve, and that the allies are prepared, and the allies are willing to give us robust economic measures, powerful defense assurances," he said when questioned if nations in Europe would defend Ukraine.
"However, until we don't have such security guarantees - formally ratified, endorsed by legislatures, backed by the U.S. Congress - this crucial issue cannot be answered. And even if they do, you still have to rely first and foremost on your inherent capabilities."
Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict
Negotiations in Paris were also significant owing to the attendance of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Witkoff said the participating countries "mostly completed" their work on finalizing security arrangements.
Last week, the President indicated a settlement was "ninety percent complete".
Territorial concessions and security guarantees have been at the center of unresolved issues for negotiators.
The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Moscow will take control, dismissing potential concessions over how to end the war.
The Ukrainian President has thus far rejected ceding any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an agreed point - but only if Russia reciprocated the action.
Moscow currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region, and some nearly all of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions form the Donbas industrial heartland.
It has been intensifying attacks against cities in Ukraine - with a focus on power facilities. Russia has also made slow progress in seizing additional Ukrainian land.
Ukraine has hit back at Russian targets with drones, albeit with varying degrees of effectiveness.
