Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Declares Absence of Definitive Defense Guarantee from European Partners
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him concrete pledges that they will protect his country in the case of a future Russian attack.
"I continue to pose this critical question to every one of our allies and thus far, the answer remains elusive a definitive and straightforward response yet," he stated to the press on midweek.
His comments come a day after Britain and France inked a statement of purpose on deploying troops in Ukraine if a peace deal to end the war with Russia is reached.
However, full security guarantees have yet to be solidified. The United States, which has been leading efforts to halt the offensive, reportedly did not sign such a pledge at talks in Paris on Tuesday.
Details of the Paris Talks
Following the negotiations in Paris, 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 "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to prevent any future incursion, while French President Emmanuel Macron later said thousands of troops may be deployed.
Partner nations suggested that the US would assume a leading role in overseeing any ceasefire. But the key issue of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as a component of the settlement terms are continuing to be negotiated.
Moscow has thus far remained silent on the declaration made in the city of Paris.
President Putin launched a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Moscow now occupies about one-fifth of Ukraine's land.
The President's Evolving Stance
Sir Keir described the bilateral declaration as "a vital part of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the long-term".
He continued: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which allied military personnel could function on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's military for the years to come."
The Ukrainian leader praised that agreement as a "significant leap of progress".
Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he appeared less optimistic.
"I perceive the determination, the political will, and that the partners are ready, and the allies are willing to give us robust economic measures, powerful defense assurances," he said when questioned if nations in Europe would come to Ukraine's aid.
"However, until we don't have such security guarantees - legally binding, supported by parliaments, supported by the United States Congress - this crucial issue remains unresolved. And even if they do, you must ultimately depend first and foremost 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.
One envoy stated the participating countries "mostly completed" their work on agreeing security protocols.
Last week, the President indicated a peace deal was "90% ready".
Territorial concessions and security guarantees have been at the center of unresolved issues for negotiators.
Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, dismissing potential concessions over how to end the war.
Zelensky has so far ruled out ceding any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an agreed point - but only if Russia reciprocated the action.
Moscow currently controls about three-quarters of the Donetsk oblast, and some nearly all of the adjacent Luhansk region. The two regions form the Donbas industrial heartland.
It has been intensifying attacks against Ukrainian cities - particularly targeting power facilities. Moscow is also achieving slow progress in capturing more Ukrainian territory.
Ukrainian forces have retaliated at Russian targets with drones, though with more limited success.
