Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky States Absence of Clear Defense Guarantee from Allies
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says European allies have not given him sound guarantees that they will defend Ukraine in the case of a fresh offensive by Russia.
"I continue to pose this critical 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 reached.
However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The United States, which has been leading efforts to end the invasion, reportedly did not sign such a commitment at discussions held in the French capital on the previous day.
Outcomes from the Paris Discussions
After the Paris talks, which included some three dozen nations that form the group termed the 'Coalition of the Willing', UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the UK and France 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 assume a leading role in monitoring a truce. But the key issue of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as part of the peace proposals are still being discussed.
Moscow has thus far remained silent on the declaration made in the city of Paris.
President Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces now occupies about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory.
The President's Evolving Stance
Sir Keir described the bilateral declaration as "an essential component of our dedication to support Ukraine for the long-term".
He continued: "It paves the way 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."
The Ukrainian leader praised that accord as a "significant leap of progress".
Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he appeared less optimistic.
"I see the will, the political resolve, and that the allies are prepared, and the partners are ready to give us strong sanctions, strong security guarantees," 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 cannot be answered. And should they materialize, you still have to rely first and foremost on your own strength."
Persistent Challenges and Fighting
Negotiations in Paris were also notable owing to the presence of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
One envoy stated the allies "mostly completed" their work on finalizing security arrangements.
Recently, Zelensky said a settlement was "ninety percent complete".
Questions of land and security guarantees have been at the center of unresolved issues for negotiators.
Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's military must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Moscow will take control, rejecting any compromise over how to conclude hostilities.
The Ukrainian President has thus far rejected ceding any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an established line - but provided that Russia reciprocated the action.
Russian forces currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region, and some nearly all of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts constitute the Donbas industrial heartland.
Attacks have been escalating against Ukrainian cities - particularly targeting power facilities. Russia has also made incremental advances in capturing more Ukrainian territory.
Ukrainian forces have retaliated at Russian targets with drones, albeit with more limited success.