Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Declares Absence of Clear Defense Guarantee from European Partners
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him concrete pledges 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 definitive and straightforward response yet," he stated to the press on Wednesday.
His comments come a day after the UK and France signed a declaration of intent on stationing forces in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to conclude the conflict with Moscow is reached.
However, full security guarantees 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 commitment at discussions held in the French capital on Tuesday.
Outcomes from the Paris Discussions
After the Paris talks, which included some three dozen nations that form the group termed the 'Coalition of the Willing', UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the UK and France would "set up operational bases across Ukraine" to prevent any future incursion, while France's President Macron later said a significant number of soldiers may be sent.
Partner nations suggested that the US would take the lead in overseeing any ceasefire. But the key issue of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as part of the peace proposals are still being discussed.
Moscow has thus far remained silent on the declaration made in the city of Paris.
President Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Moscow now occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
Zelensky's Shifting Tone
The UK Prime Minister characterized the bilateral declaration as "a vital part of our dedication to support Ukraine for the long-term".
He added: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which British, French and partner forces could function on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the future."
The Ukrainian leader praised that agreement as a "huge step forward".
Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he seemed more cautious.
"I see the will, 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 security guarantees - formally ratified, supported by parliaments, supported by the United States Congress - this question cannot be answered. And even if they do, you still have to rely first and foremost on your inherent capabilities."
Persistent Challenges and Fighting
Negotiations in Paris were also significant due to the presence of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Witkoff said the participating countries "largely finished" their work on finalizing security arrangements.
Recently, Zelensky said a peace deal was "ninety percent complete".
Questions of land and security guarantees have been at the center of outstanding matters for negotiators.
Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Moscow will take control, rejecting any compromise over how to conclude hostilities.
Zelensky has so far ruled out relinquishing any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an agreed point - but provided that Russia did the same.
Moscow currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk oblast, and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions constitute the Donbas industrial heartland.
It has been intensifying attacks against Ukrainian cities - with a focus on power facilities. Moscow is also achieving 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.
