Zelensky States He Lacks Explicit Defense Guarantee from European Partners
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's partners in Europe have failed to provide concrete pledges that they will defend Ukraine in the event of a new Russian aggression.
"I am asking this very question to every one of our allies and thus far, the answer remains elusive a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he told reporters on midweek.
These remarks follow a day after Britain and France inked a declaration of intent on deploying troops in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to end the war with Russia is reached.
However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The United States, which has been leading efforts to end the invasion, was reported to have abstained from signing such a commitment at talks in Paris on the previous day.
Outcomes from the Paris Discussions
Following the negotiations in Paris, which involved some 30 countries that comprise the group termed the 'Coalition of the Willing', British PM Keir Starmer said the UK and France would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, while France's President Macron subsequently indicated thousands of troops may be sent.
Partner nations suggested that the United States would assume a leading role in monitoring a truce. But the key issue of ceding land that Ukraine is being pressured to offer to Russia as part of the peace proposals are continuing to be negotiated.
The Russian government has not yet commented on the announcement made in the French capital.
Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces now occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
The President's Evolving Stance
Sir Keir described the joint statement as "a vital part of our dedication to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future".
He added: "It establishes the pathway for the juridical structure under which allied military personnel could operate on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and rebuilding 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 resolve, and that the partners are ready, and the allies are willing to give us strong sanctions, strong security guarantees," he said when asked if nations in Europe would defend Ukraine.
"But as long as we don't have such security guarantees - legally binding, endorsed by legislatures, supported by the United States Congress - this question cannot be answered. And even if they do, you still have to rely primarily on your inherent capabilities."
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 allies "largely finished" their work on finalizing security arrangements.
Recently, Zelensky said a settlement was "90% ready".
Territorial concessions and security guarantees have been at the forefront of outstanding matters for diplomats.
Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Moscow will take control, rejecting any compromise over how to conclude hostilities.
Zelensky has so far ruled out relinquishing any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an agreed point - but only if Russia did the same.
Russian forces now holds about 75% of the Donetsk oblast, 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 - particularly targeting energy infrastructure. Moscow is also achieving incremental advances in capturing more Ukrainian territory.
Ukraine has hit back at objectives inside Russia with drones, though with more limited success.