Zelensky States Absence of Definitive Security Pledge from European Partners
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's partners in Europe have failed to provide solid assurances that they will defend Ukraine in the case of a future Russian attack.
"I continue to pose this critical question to every one of our allies and I have not received a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he told reporters on midweek.
His comments come a day after the UK and France inked a declaration of intent on stationing forces in Ukraine if a peace deal to end the war with Russia is finalized.
However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The United States, which has been spearheading initiatives to end the invasion, 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 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 a significant number of soldiers may be deployed.
Allies proposed that the US would take the lead in overseeing any ceasefire. 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 city of Paris.
President Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
The President's Evolving Stance
Sir Keir described the joint statement as "an essential component of our dedication to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future".
He continued: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which allied military personnel could operate on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's military for the future."
Zelensky hailed that agreement as a "significant leap of progress".
A day later, however, he appeared less optimistic.
"I perceive the determination, the political will, and that the allies are prepared, and the allies are willing to give us strong sanctions, strong security guarantees," he said when asked if European countries would defend Ukraine.
"However, until we lack 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 must ultimately depend primarily on your own strength."
Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict
Negotiations in Paris were also notable owing to the presence of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
One envoy stated the participating countries "mostly completed" their work on finalizing security arrangements.
Last week, Zelensky said a settlement was "ninety percent complete".
Territorial concessions and defense pledges have been at the forefront of outstanding matters for diplomats.
The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukraine's military must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Moscow will take control, rejecting any compromise over how to conclude hostilities.
Zelensky has so far ruled out relinquishing any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point - but provided that Russia reciprocated the action.
Russian forces now holds about three-quarters of the Donetsk oblast, and some nearly all of the adjacent Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts form the industrial Donbas region.
It has been intensifying attacks against Ukrainian cities - with a focus on energy infrastructure. Russia has also made incremental advances in seizing additional Ukrainian land.
Ukrainian forces have retaliated at Russian targets with unmanned aerial vehicles, albeit with more limited success.
