Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Asserts Absence of Explicit Security Pledge from Allies
President Zelensky has stated that Ukraine's partners in Europe have failed to provide solid assurances that they will protect his country in the event of a fresh offensive by Russia.
"I continue to pose this critical question to every one of our allies and thus far, the answer remains elusive a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he told reporters on Wednesday.
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 conclude the conflict with Moscow is reached.
However, full security guarantees have yet to be solidified. The US, which has been leading efforts to halt the offensive, reportedly did not sign such a pledge at discussions held in the French capital on the previous day.
Details of the Paris Talks
After the Paris talks, 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 prevent any future incursion, while France's President Macron later said 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 ceding land that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as a component of the settlement terms are still being discussed.
Moscow has thus far remained silent on the announcement made in the city of Paris.
President Putin initiated a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Moscow now occupies about one-fifth of Ukraine's land.
Zelensky's Shifting Tone
Sir Keir described the joint statement as "a vital part of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the long-term".
He added: "It establishes the pathway for the juridical structure under which allied military personnel could function on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces 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 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 European countries would come to Ukraine's aid.
"But as long as we don't have such security guarantees - legally binding, supported by parliaments, supported by the United States Congress - this crucial issue cannot be answered. And should they materialize, you must ultimately depend first and foremost on your own strength."
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.
Witkoff said the allies "mostly completed" their work on finalizing security arrangements.
Recently, Zelensky said a peace deal was "ninety percent complete".
Territorial concessions and security guarantees have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for negotiators.
Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's military must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war.
Zelensky has so far ruled out relinquishing any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops 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 neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions constitute the Donbas industrial heartland.
It has been intensifying attacks against cities in Ukraine - with a focus on power facilities. Russia has also made incremental advances in capturing more Ukrainian territory.
Ukrainian forces have retaliated at Russian targets with unmanned aerial vehicles, though with more limited success.
