Zelensky Declares He Lacks Explicit Security Pledge from Allies
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him solid assurances that they will defend Ukraine in the event of a future Russian attack.
"I am asking this very question to every one of our allies and thus far, the answer remains elusive a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he stated to the press on Wednesday.
His comments come a day after the UK and France inked a statement of purpose on deploying troops in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to conclude the conflict with Moscow is finalized.
However, full security guarantees have yet to be solidified. The United States, which has been spearheading initiatives to halt the offensive, reportedly did not sign such a commitment at talks in Paris on the previous day.
Details of the Paris Talks
After the Paris talks, which included some three dozen nations that form the so-called Coalition of the Willing, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the two nations would "set up operational bases across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, while French President Emmanuel Macron subsequently indicated thousands of troops may be deployed.
Allies proposed that the United States would take the lead in monitoring a truce. But the key issue of ceding land that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as part of the peace proposals are continuing to be negotiated.
The Russian government has not yet commented on the declaration made in the city of Paris.
President Putin initiated a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces now occupies about 20% of Ukraine's land.
The President's Evolving Stance
Sir Keir described the bilateral declaration as "a vital part of our dedication to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future".
He continued: "It establishes the pathway for the juridical structure under which British, French and partner forces could operate on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the future."
The Ukrainian leader praised that agreement as a "huge step forward".
A day later, however, he seemed more cautious.
"I perceive the determination, the political resolve, 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 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 should they materialize, you must ultimately depend first and foremost on your own strength."
Persistent Challenges and Fighting
The Paris talks 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 "largely finished" their work on finalizing security arrangements.
Last week, Zelensky said a peace deal was "ninety percent complete".
Territorial concessions and security guarantees have been at the forefront of outstanding matters for negotiators.
The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukraine's military must pull back 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 redeploy its forces to an agreed point - but provided that Russia did the same.
Moscow currently controls about three-quarters of the Donetsk region, and some nearly all of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions form the industrial Donbas region.
Attacks have been escalating against cities in Ukraine - particularly targeting energy infrastructure. Russia has also made incremental advances in seizing additional Ukrainian land.
Ukraine has hit back at Russian targets with drones, though with more limited success.
