Zelensky Declares He Lacks Explicit Security Pledge from Allies
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 every one of our allies and thus far, the answer remains elusive a definitive and straightforward response yet," he told reporters on midweek.
His comments come a day after the UK and France signed a statement of purpose on stationing forces in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to end the war with Russia is finalized.
However, full security guarantees have yet to be solidified. The United States, which has been spearheading initiatives to halt the offensive, reportedly did not sign such a commitment at discussions held in the French capital on Tuesday.
Details of the Paris Talks
After the Paris talks, which included some three dozen nations that comprise the so-called Coalition of the Willing, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the UK and France would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to prevent any future incursion, while France's President Macron later said thousands of troops may be sent.
Allies proposed that the US would take the lead in monitoring a truce. But the key issue of ceding land that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as a component of the settlement terms are continuing to be negotiated.
Moscow has thus far remained silent on the announcement made in the French capital.
President Putin launched a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces currently controls about 20% of Ukraine's land.
The President's Evolving Stance
The UK Prime Minister characterized the bilateral declaration as "an essential component of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the long-term".
He continued: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which allied military personnel could operate on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the years to come."
The Ukrainian leader praised that accord as a "significant leap of progress".
Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he seemed more cautious.
"I see the will, the political resolve, and that the partners are ready, and the partners are ready to give us robust economic measures, powerful defense assurances," he said when questioned if nations in Europe would defend Ukraine.
"However, until we don't have such security guarantees - legally binding, supported by parliaments, supported by the United States Congress - this question cannot be answered. And should they materialize, you must ultimately depend first and foremost on your inherent capabilities."
Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict
Negotiations in Paris were also significant due to the presence of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Witkoff said the allies "mostly completed" their work on finalizing security arrangements.
Recently, Zelensky said a peace deal was "90% ready".
Territorial concessions and security guarantees have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for negotiators.
Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's military must withdraw from the entirety of the Donbas region or Moscow will take control, rejecting any compromise over how to conclude hostilities.
Zelensky has so far ruled out relinquishing any land, 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 75% of the Donetsk oblast, and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The two regions constitute the Donbas industrial heartland.
Attacks have been escalating 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, though with varying degrees of effectiveness.
