Zelensky Asserts Absence of Clear Defense Guarantee from Partner Nations
President Zelensky has stated that Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him solid assurances that they will protect his country in the event of a new Russian aggression.
"I am asking this very question to every one of our allies and thus far, the answer remains elusive a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he told reporters on midweek.
His comments come a day after the UK and France signed a statement of purpose on deploying troops in Ukraine if a peace deal to conclude the conflict with Moscow is finalized.
However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The US, which has been spearheading initiatives to halt the offensive, was reported to have abstained from signing such a pledge at talks in Paris on Tuesday.
Details of the Paris Talks
After the Paris talks, which included some three dozen nations 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 later said a significant number of soldiers may be deployed.
Partner nations suggested that the United States would assume a leading role in overseeing any ceasefire. 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 not yet commented on the announcement made in the French capital.
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Russian forces currently controls about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory.
The President's Evolving Stance
The UK Prime Minister characterized the joint statement as "an essential component of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the long-term".
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 military for the future."
The Ukrainian leader praised that agreement as a "significant leap of progress".
Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he appeared less optimistic.
"I see the will, the political resolve, and that the allies are prepared, and the partners are ready to give us strong sanctions, powerful defense assurances," he said when questioned if European countries would defend Ukraine.
"However, until we don't have such security guarantees - formally ratified, endorsed by legislatures, supported by the United States Congress - this question remains unresolved. And should they materialize, you still have to rely first and foremost on your inherent capabilities."
Persistent Challenges and Fighting
The Paris talks 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 "mostly completed" their work on agreeing security protocols.
Recently, the President indicated a settlement was "90% ready".
Territorial concessions and security guarantees have been at the forefront of outstanding matters for diplomats.
Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, 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 reciprocated the action.
Russian forces now holds about three-quarters of the Donetsk oblast, and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions form the Donbas industrial heartland.
It has been intensifying attacks against cities in Ukraine - particularly targeting power facilities. Moscow is also achieving slow progress in seizing additional Ukrainian land.
Ukraine has hit back at objectives inside Russia with unmanned aerial vehicles, albeit with more limited success.
