Zelensky Declares He Lacks Definitive Defense Guarantee from Partner Nations
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him concrete pledges that they will defend Ukraine in the case of a fresh offensive by Russia.
"I continue to pose this critical question to every one of our allies and I have not received a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he stated to the press on midweek.
These remarks follow a day after Britain and France signed a statement of purpose on deploying troops in Ukraine if a peace deal to end the war with Russia is reached.
However, full security guarantees have yet to be solidified. The US, which has been spearheading initiatives to halt the offensive, was reported to have abstained from signing such a commitment at talks in Paris on Tuesday.
Details of the Paris Talks
After the Paris talks, which included some 30 countries that comprise the so-called Coalition of the Willing, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the UK and France would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, while French President Emmanuel Macron subsequently indicated a significant number of soldiers may be sent.
Partner nations suggested that the United States would take the lead in monitoring a truce. But the key issue of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as a component of the settlement terms are still being discussed.
The Russian government has not yet commented on the declaration made in the city of Paris.
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
Zelensky's Shifting Tone
The UK Prime Minister characterized the bilateral declaration as "an essential component of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the long-term".
He continued: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which allied military personnel could function on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the years to come."
The Ukrainian leader praised that accord as a "huge step forward".
A day later, however, he seemed more cautious.
"I see the will, the political resolve, and that the partners are ready, and the allies are willing to give us strong sanctions, powerful defense assurances," he said when questioned if European countries would come to Ukraine's aid.
"But as long as we lack such binding security pacts - legally binding, supported by parliaments, backed by the U.S. Congress - this crucial issue remains unresolved. And even if they do, you must ultimately depend first and foremost on your own strength."
Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict
The Paris talks were also notable due to the attendance of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
One envoy stated the participating countries "mostly completed" their work on agreeing security protocols.
Recently, the President indicated a settlement was "90% ready".
Questions of land and defense pledges have been at the center of outstanding matters for negotiators.
The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukraine's military must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, dismissing potential concessions over how to end the war.
The Ukrainian President has thus far rejected ceding any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an established line - 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 two regions constitute the Donbas industrial heartland.
It has been intensifying attacks against Ukrainian cities - with a focus on energy infrastructure. Moscow is also achieving slow progress in seizing additional Ukrainian land.
Ukrainian forces have retaliated at Russian targets with drones, though with more limited success.
