Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky States He Lacks Definitive Security Pledge from European Partners
President Zelensky has stated that European allies have not given him concrete pledges that they will protect his country in the case of a future Russian attack.
"I continue to pose this critical 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 Britain and France inked a declaration of intent on stationing forces in Ukraine if a peace deal to conclude the conflict with Moscow is finalized.
However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The United States, which has been leading efforts to end the invasion, was reported to have abstained from signing such a commitment at talks in Paris on Tuesday.
Outcomes from the Paris Discussions
After the Paris talks, which included some 30 countries that comprise the group termed the '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.
Partner nations suggested that the US would take the lead in monitoring a truce. 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 still being discussed.
The Russian government has not yet commented on the announcement made in the French capital.
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow currently controls about one-fifth of Ukraine's land.
Zelensky's Shifting Tone
The UK Prime Minister characterized 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 legal framework under which British, French and partner forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the years to come."
Zelensky hailed that accord as a "significant leap of progress".
A day later, 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 strong sanctions, strong security guarantees," he said when asked if nations in Europe would defend Ukraine.
"But as long as we lack such security guarantees - formally ratified, supported by parliaments, backed by the U.S. Congress - this question cannot be answered. And even if they do, you must ultimately depend first and foremost on your inherent capabilities."
Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict
The Paris talks were also notable owing to the attendance of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
One envoy stated the allies "mostly completed" their work on agreeing security protocols.
Last week, Zelensky said a peace deal was "ninety percent complete".
Territorial concessions and security guarantees have been at the center of unresolved issues for diplomats.
The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops 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 proposed that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an agreed point - but provided that Russia reciprocated the action.
Russian forces currently controls about three-quarters of the Donetsk oblast, and some nearly all of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the industrial Donbas region.
It has been intensifying attacks against Ukrainian cities - with a focus on power facilities. Moscow is also achieving incremental advances in seizing additional Ukrainian land.
Ukrainian forces have retaliated at Russian targets with unmanned aerial vehicles, albeit with varying degrees of effectiveness.
