Zelensky Declares Absence of Explicit Security Pledge from Partner Nations
President Zelensky has stated that Ukraine's partners in Europe have failed to provide sound guarantees that they will defend Ukraine in the event of a fresh offensive by Russia.
"I am asking this very question to every one of our allies 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 stationing forces in Ukraine if a peace deal to end the war with Russia is reached.
However, comprehensive defense assurances have yet to be solidified. The United States, which has been spearheading initiatives to end the invasion, 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
Following the negotiations in Paris, which involved some 30 countries that form the group termed the 'Coalition of the Willing', UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the two nations would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to prevent any future incursion, while France's President Macron subsequently indicated a significant number of soldiers may be sent.
Partner nations suggested 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 announcement made in the French capital.
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces currently controls about 20% of Ukraine's land.
Zelensky's Shifting Tone
Sir Keir described the bilateral declaration as "an essential component of our commitment to support Ukraine for the long-term".
He added: "It establishes the pathway for the legal framework under which allied military personnel could function on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the future."
Zelensky hailed that agreement as a "significant leap of progress".
A day later, however, he seemed more cautious.
"I see the will, the political resolve, and that the allies are prepared, and the partners are ready to give us robust economic measures, strong security guarantees," he said when asked if European countries would defend Ukraine.
"But as long as we don't have such security guarantees - formally ratified, supported by parliaments, backed by the U.S. Congress - this question cannot be answered. And even if they do, you still have to rely primarily on your own strength."
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.
One envoy stated the allies "largely finished" their work on finalizing security arrangements.
Last week, the President indicated a settlement was "ninety percent complete".
Questions of land and defense pledges have been at the forefront of outstanding matters for negotiators.
The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukraine's military 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 relinquishing any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an established line - but provided that Russia reciprocated the action.
Moscow currently controls about three-quarters 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 - with a focus on power facilities. Russia has also made slow progress in seizing additional Ukrainian land.
Ukraine has hit back at objectives inside Russia with unmanned aerial vehicles, albeit with varying degrees of effectiveness.
