Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky States Absence of Definitive Defense Guarantee from European Partners
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says European allies have not given him concrete pledges that they will defend Ukraine in the event of a fresh offensive by Russia.
"I am asking this very question to all our partners and thus far, the answer remains elusive a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he told reporters on Wednesday.
These remarks follow a day after Britain and France inked a declaration of intent on deploying troops in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to end the war with Russia is agreed.
However, comprehensive defense assurances have not been agreed. The US, which has been spearheading initiatives to halt the offensive, was reported to have abstained from signing such a commitment at talks in Paris 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 "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to prevent any future incursion, while France's President Macron later said a significant number of soldiers may be deployed.
Partner nations suggested that the US would assume a leading role in monitoring a truce. But the central sticking point 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 declaration made in the French capital.
Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Russian forces 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 continued: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French and partner forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, 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 appeared less optimistic.
"I see the will, 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 European countries would come to Ukraine's aid.
"However, until we don't have such security guarantees - legally binding, supported by parliaments, backed by the U.S. Congress - this crucial issue remains unresolved. And even if they do, you must ultimately depend primarily on your own strength."
Persistent Challenges and Fighting
The Paris talks were also significant due to the presence of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
Witkoff said the participating countries "mostly completed" their work on finalizing security arrangements.
Recently, the President indicated a peace deal was "ninety percent complete".
Territorial concessions and security guarantees have been at the center of outstanding matters for diplomats.
Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must pull back from the entirety of the Donbas region or Russia will seize it, dismissing potential concessions over how to conclude hostilities.
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 reciprocated the action.
Russian forces currently controls about three-quarters of the Donetsk oblast, and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts form the industrial Donbas region.
Attacks have been escalating against cities in Ukraine - particularly targeting energy infrastructure. Russia has also made incremental advances in seizing additional Ukrainian land.
Ukraine has hit back at objectives inside Russia with unmanned aerial vehicles, though with more limited success.
