Ukrainian President Volodymyr 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 fresh offensive by Russia.
"I continue to pose this critical question to all our partners and I have not received a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he stated to the press on midweek.
His comments come a day after Britain and France inked a statement of purpose on deploying troops in Ukraine if a peace deal to conclude the conflict with Moscow is finalized.
However, full security guarantees have yet to be solidified. The US, which has been spearheading initiatives to end the invasion, was reported to have abstained from signing such a commitment at talks in Paris on the previous day.
Outcomes from the Paris Discussions
Following the negotiations in Paris, which involved some 30 countries that form the so-called Coalition of the Willing, British PM Keir Starmer said the two nations would "set up operational bases across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, while France's President Macron later said thousands of troops may be deployed.
Partner nations suggested that the United States would assume a leading role in overseeing any ceasefire. But the key issue of ceding land that Ukraine is being pressured to offer 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.
Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Russian forces now occupies about one-fifth of Ukraine's land.
Zelensky's Shifting Tone
The UK Prime Minister characterized the joint statement as "a vital part of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the long-term".
He continued: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French and partner forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the future."
Zelensky hailed that accord as a "huge step forward".
Twenty-four hours afterward, 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 defend Ukraine.
"But as long as we don't have such binding security pacts - legally binding, endorsed by legislatures, backed by the U.S. Congress - this crucial issue remains unresolved. And should they materialize, you still have to rely first and foremost on your own strength."
Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict
Negotiations in Paris were also significant due to the attendance 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, the President indicated a peace deal was "90% ready".
Questions of land and security guarantees have been at the center of unresolved issues for negotiators.
Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Moscow will take control, dismissing potential concessions over how to conclude hostilities.
Zelensky has so far ruled out ceding any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an established line - but provided that Russia reciprocated the action.
Moscow currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk oblast, and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The two regions form the industrial Donbas region.
It has been intensifying attacks against Ukrainian cities - with a focus on energy infrastructure. Moscow is also achieving incremental advances in seizing additional Ukrainian land.
Ukrainian forces have retaliated at objectives inside Russia with unmanned aerial vehicles, albeit with more limited success.
