Zelensky States He Lacks Clear Defense Guarantee from Partner Nations
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says European allies have failed to provide concrete pledges that they will defend Ukraine in the case of a future Russian attack.
"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.
His comments come a day after the UK and France inked 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 not been agreed. The United States, which has been spearheading initiatives to end the invasion, was reported to have abstained from signing such a commitment at talks in Paris on Tuesday.
Details of the Paris Talks
Following the negotiations in Paris, 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 prevent any future incursion, while French President Emmanuel Macron later said a significant number of soldiers may be deployed.
Partner nations suggested that the United States would assume a leading role in monitoring a truce. But the central sticking point of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as a component of the settlement terms are still being discussed.
Moscow has not yet commented on the declaration made in the French capital.
President Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces now occupies about 20% of Ukraine's land.
Zelensky's Shifting Tone
The UK Prime Minister characterized the bilateral declaration as "a vital part of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the long-term".
He continued: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which British, French and partner forces could operate 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 see the will, the political will, and that the allies are prepared, and the allies are willing to give us robust economic measures, strong security guarantees," he said when questioned if nations in Europe would defend Ukraine.
"However, until we lack such binding security pacts - legally binding, endorsed by legislatures, 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 significant 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 finalizing security arrangements.
Last week, Zelensky said a peace deal was "90% ready".
Questions of land and defense pledges have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for diplomats.
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 end the war.
The Ukrainian President has thus far rejected relinquishing any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an established line - but provided that Russia did the same.
Moscow currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk oblast, and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts form the industrial Donbas region.
It has been intensifying attacks against cities in Ukraine - with a focus on power facilities. Russia has also made incremental advances in capturing more Ukrainian territory.
Ukrainian forces have retaliated at Russian targets with unmanned aerial vehicles, albeit with varying degrees of effectiveness.