Zelensky States Absence of Clear Security Pledge from European Partners
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says European allies have not given him solid assurances that they will protect his country in the case of a new Russian aggression.
"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 Wednesday.
His comments come a day after Britain and France signed a statement of purpose on deploying troops in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to end the war with Russia is finalized.
However, comprehensive defense assurances have not been agreed. The United States, which has been spearheading initiatives to halt the offensive, was reported to have abstained from signing 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 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 prevent any future incursion, while French President Emmanuel Macron subsequently indicated thousands of troops may be sent.
Partner nations suggested that the US would take the lead in overseeing any ceasefire. But the central sticking point of ceding land that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as a component of the settlement terms are continuing to be negotiated.
Moscow has not yet commented on the declaration made in the city of Paris.
President Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces now occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
Zelensky's Shifting Tone
Sir Keir described the joint statement as "a vital part of our dedication to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future".
He continued: "It establishes the pathway for the legal framework under which allied military personnel could operate on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the future."
The Ukrainian leader praised that agreement as a "significant leap of progress".
Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he seemed more cautious.
"I perceive the determination, the political will, and that the allies are prepared, and the partners are ready 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 don't have such binding security pacts - formally ratified, supported by parliaments, supported by the United States Congress - this question cannot be answered. And should they materialize, you must ultimately depend primarily on your own strength."
Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict
The Paris talks were also significant due to the presence of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
One envoy stated the allies "largely finished" their work on agreeing security protocols.
Recently, Zelensky said a peace deal was "ninety percent complete".
Questions of land and security guarantees have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for diplomats.
The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukraine's military must withdraw from the entirety of the Donbas region or Moscow will take control, rejecting any compromise over how to conclude hostilities.
Zelensky has so far ruled out relinquishing any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an established line - but only if Russia reciprocated the action.
Moscow now holds about 75% of the Donetsk oblast, and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts constitute the industrial Donbas region.
Attacks have been escalating against Ukrainian cities - particularly targeting energy infrastructure. Moscow is also achieving slow progress in seizing additional Ukrainian land.
Ukraine has hit back at objectives inside Russia with unmanned aerial vehicles, albeit with varying degrees of effectiveness.
