Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Asserts He Lacks Definitive Defense Guarantee from Allies
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's partners in Europe have failed to provide sound guarantees that they will defend Ukraine in the event of a new Russian aggression.
"I am asking this very question to all our partners and I have not received a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he told reporters on Wednesday.
His comments come a day after the UK and France inked a statement of purpose on deploying troops in Ukraine if a peace deal to conclude the conflict with Moscow is reached.
However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The United States, which has been leading efforts 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
After the Paris talks, which involved some 30 countries that form 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 French President Emmanuel Macron subsequently indicated thousands of troops may be sent.
Partner nations suggested that the United States would take the lead in monitoring a truce. But the key issue of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being pressured to offer to Russia as a component of the settlement terms are still being discussed.
Moscow has not yet commented on the declaration made in the French capital.
President Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
The President's Evolving Stance
The UK Prime Minister characterized the joint statement as "a vital part of our commitment to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future".
He continued: "It establishes the pathway for the juridical structure under which British, French and partner forces could function on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the future."
Zelensky hailed that agreement as a "significant leap of progress".
A day later, however, he seemed more cautious.
"I perceive the determination, the political will, and that the allies are prepared, and the partners are ready to give us strong sanctions, powerful defense assurances," he said when questioned if European countries would come to Ukraine's aid.
"However, until we lack such security guarantees - formally ratified, endorsed by legislatures, backed by the U.S. Congress - this crucial issue remains unresolved. And even if they do, you still have to rely first and foremost on your own strength."
Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict
Negotiations in Paris were also significant due to the attendance of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
Witkoff said the participating countries "mostly completed" their work on finalizing security arrangements.
Recently, the President indicated a peace deal was "ninety percent complete".
Questions of land and defense pledges have been at the forefront of outstanding matters for diplomats.
Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must pull back from the entirety of the Donbas region or Moscow will take control, rejecting any compromise over how to conclude hostilities.
Zelensky has so far ruled out ceding any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point - but provided that Russia reciprocated the action.
Russian forces currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk oblast, and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the industrial Donbas region.
Attacks have been escalating against Ukrainian cities - particularly targeting power facilities. Russia has also made incremental advances in capturing more Ukrainian territory.
Ukraine has hit back at objectives inside Russia with unmanned aerial vehicles, though with more limited success.
