Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Declares He Lacks Clear Defense Guarantee from Allies
President Zelensky has stated that Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him sound guarantees that they will defend Ukraine in the case of a new Russian aggression.
"I am asking this very question to all our partners and thus far, the answer remains elusive a definitive and straightforward response yet," he told reporters on Wednesday.
His comments come a day after the UK 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, full security guarantees have yet to be solidified. The US, which has been spearheading initiatives to end the invasion, reportedly did not sign such a commitment at talks in Paris on Tuesday.
Outcomes from the Paris Discussions
After the Paris talks, which involved some 30 countries that form the so-called Coalition of the Willing, British PM Keir Starmer said the two nations would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to prevent any future incursion, while French President Emmanuel Macron later said thousands of troops may be sent.
Allies proposed that the US would assume a leading role in monitoring a truce. But the central sticking point of ceding land that Ukraine is being pressured to offer to Russia as part of the peace proposals are still being discussed.
Moscow has not yet commented on the announcement made in the French capital.
President Putin initiated a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in February 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 "an essential component of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future".
He added: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French and partner forces could function on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the years to come."
Zelensky hailed 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 partners are ready, and the partners are ready to give us robust economic measures, strong security guarantees," he said when questioned if nations in Europe would come to Ukraine's aid.
"However, until we don't have such binding security pacts - legally binding, supported by parliaments, supported by the United States Congress - this question remains unresolved. And even if they do, you must ultimately depend first and foremost on your inherent capabilities."
Persistent Challenges and Fighting
The Paris talks were also notable due to the attendance of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
Witkoff said the participating countries "largely finished" their work on finalizing security arrangements.
Recently, the President indicated a settlement was "ninety percent complete".
Territorial concessions and defense pledges have been at the forefront of outstanding matters for negotiators.
Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's military must pull back from the entirety of the Donbas region or Moscow will take control, dismissing potential concessions over how to conclude hostilities.
The Ukrainian President has thus far rejected relinquishing any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an agreed point - but only if Russia did the same.
Russian forces currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk oblast, and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The two regions constitute the industrial Donbas region.
It has been intensifying attacks against cities in Ukraine - particularly targeting power facilities. Russia has also made slow progress in capturing more Ukrainian territory.
Ukraine has hit back at objectives inside Russia with unmanned aerial vehicles, albeit with varying degrees of effectiveness.
