Zelensky States Absence of Explicit Defense Guarantee from European Partners
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him sound guarantees that they will protect his country in the event of a future Russian attack.
"I continue to pose this critical question to all our partners and thus far, the answer remains elusive a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he told reporters on midweek.
These remarks follow a day after the UK and France inked a declaration of intent on deploying troops in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to end the war with Russia is agreed.
However, full security guarantees have yet to be solidified. The United States, which has been leading efforts to end the invasion, reportedly did not sign such a pledge at talks in Paris on Tuesday.
Details of the Paris Talks
After the Paris talks, which involved some 30 countries that form the group termed the 'Coalition of the Willing', British PM Keir Starmer said the two nations would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to prevent any future incursion, while French President Emmanuel Macron later said thousands of troops may be sent.
Partner nations suggested that the United States would assume a leading role in overseeing any ceasefire. But the central sticking point of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being pressured to offer to Russia as part of the peace proposals are continuing to be negotiated.
Moscow has not yet commented on the announcement made in the city of Paris.
Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Moscow now occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
Zelensky's Shifting Tone
Sir Keir described the joint statement as "a vital part of our commitment to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future".
He added: "It establishes the pathway for the juridical structure under which British, French and partner forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the future."
Zelensky hailed that accord as a "huge step forward".
A day later, however, he appeared less optimistic.
"I see the will, the political will, and that the partners are ready, and the partners are ready to give us strong sanctions, powerful defense assurances," he said when asked if nations in Europe would defend Ukraine.
"But as long as we lack such security guarantees - legally binding, supported by parliaments, backed by the U.S. Congress - this question cannot be answered. And even if they do, you must ultimately depend first and foremost on your inherent capabilities."
Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict
Negotiations in Paris were also significant due to the presence of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
One envoy stated the participating countries "largely finished" their work on agreeing security protocols.
Recently, Zelensky said a peace deal was "ninety percent complete".
Questions of land and defense pledges have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for negotiators.
Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the entirety of the Donbas region or Russia will seize it, rejecting any compromise over how to conclude hostilities.
Zelensky has so far ruled out ceding any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an agreed point - but provided that Russia did the same.
Moscow now holds about 75% of the Donetsk region, and some nearly all of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions form the industrial Donbas region.
It has been intensifying attacks against cities in Ukraine - particularly targeting power facilities. Russia has also made incremental advances in capturing more Ukrainian territory.
Ukrainian forces have retaliated at Russian targets with drones, though with more limited success.
