Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky States Absence of Clear Defense Guarantee from European Partners
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says European allies have failed to provide solid assurances that they will protect his country in the case of a new Russian aggression.
"I continue to pose this critical question to every one of our allies and I have not received a definitive and straightforward response yet," he stated to the press on Wednesday.
These remarks follow a day after Britain and France signed a statement of purpose on stationing forces in Ukraine if a peace deal to conclude the conflict with Moscow is finalized.
However, full security guarantees have yet to be solidified. The US, 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 Tuesday.
Outcomes from the Paris Discussions
Following the negotiations in Paris, which involved some three dozen nations that comprise the so-called Coalition of the Willing, British PM Keir Starmer said the UK and France would "set up operational bases across Ukraine" to prevent any future incursion, while France's President Macron later said a significant number of soldiers may be deployed.
Partner nations suggested that the United States would assume a leading role in overseeing any ceasefire. But the central sticking point of ceding land that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as part of the peace proposals are continuing to be negotiated.
Moscow has thus far remained silent on the declaration made in the city of Paris.
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Russian forces currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
Zelensky's Shifting Tone
Sir Keir described the bilateral declaration as "an essential component of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future".
He added: "It establishes the pathway for the legal framework under which British, French and partner forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the future."
Zelensky hailed that accord as a "significant leap of progress".
Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he seemed more cautious.
"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.
"But as long as we don't have such binding security pacts - formally ratified, endorsed by legislatures, backed by the U.S. Congress - this question cannot be answered. And even if they do, you must ultimately depend primarily on your inherent capabilities."
Persistent Challenges and Fighting
Negotiations in Paris were also significant due to the presence of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Witkoff said the allies "mostly completed" their work on finalizing security arrangements.
Last week, Zelensky said a settlement was "90% ready".
Territorial concessions and defense pledges have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for diplomats.
The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Moscow will take control, dismissing potential concessions over how to conclude hostilities.
The Ukrainian President has thus far rejected ceding any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an established line - but only if Russia reciprocated the action.
Moscow now holds about three-quarters of the Donetsk region, and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts form the industrial Donbas region.
It has been intensifying attacks against Ukrainian cities - with a focus on power facilities. Russia has also made slow progress in capturing more Ukrainian territory.
Ukraine has hit back at Russian targets with drones, though with more limited success.
