Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky States He Lacks Definitive Defense Guarantee from European Partners
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him sound guarantees that they will defend Ukraine in the event of a new Russian aggression.
"I am asking this very question to every one of our allies and I have not received a definitive and straightforward response yet," he told reporters on midweek.
These remarks follow a day after the UK and France inked a declaration of intent on stationing forces in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to end the war with Russia is reached.
However, comprehensive defense assurances have yet to be solidified. The US, which has been leading efforts to end the invasion, 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 30 countries that comprise the so-called 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 France's President Macron later said a significant number of soldiers may be sent.
Allies proposed that the US would take the lead in monitoring a truce. But the key issue of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as part of the peace proposals are continuing to be negotiated.
Moscow has thus far remained silent on the announcement made in the French capital.
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow now occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
Zelensky's Shifting Tone
The UK Prime Minister characterized the bilateral declaration as "an essential component of our dedication to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future".
He added: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which allied military personnel could function on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces 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 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 questioned if nations in Europe would defend Ukraine.
"However, until we lack such security guarantees - formally ratified, endorsed by legislatures, backed by the U.S. Congress - this question cannot be answered. And even if they do, you still have to rely primarily on your own strength."
Persistent Challenges and Fighting
Negotiations in Paris were also significant owing to the attendance of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
One envoy stated the participating countries "largely finished" their work on finalizing security arrangements.
Recently, Zelensky said a peace deal was "90% ready".
Territorial concessions and defense pledges have been at the center of outstanding matters for negotiators.
Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must pull back from the entirety of the Donbas region or Moscow will take control, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war.
Zelensky has so far ruled out relinquishing any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point - but provided that Russia reciprocated the action.
Russian forces currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk oblast, and some nearly all of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions constitute the Donbas industrial heartland.
It has been intensifying attacks against Ukrainian cities - particularly targeting energy infrastructure. Moscow is also achieving slow progress in seizing additional Ukrainian land.
Ukrainian forces have retaliated at Russian targets with drones, though with varying degrees of effectiveness.
