Zelensky Asserts Absence of Clear Security Pledge from European Partners
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says European allies have not given him concrete pledges that they will protect his country in the event of a future Russian attack.
"I am asking this very question to all our partners and thus far, the answer remains elusive a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he stated to the press on midweek.
His comments come a day after Britain and France inked a declaration of intent on stationing forces 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 leading efforts to end the invasion, reportedly did not sign such a pledge at discussions held in the French capital on the previous day.
Details of the Paris Talks
After the Paris talks, which involved some three dozen nations that form 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 French President Emmanuel Macron subsequently indicated a significant number of soldiers may be deployed.
Partner nations suggested that the US would take the lead in overseeing any ceasefire. But the central sticking point of ceding land that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as part of the peace proposals are continuing to be negotiated.
The Russian government has thus far remained silent on the announcement made in the French capital.
President Putin launched a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Russian forces now occupies about 20% of Ukraine's land.
Zelensky's Shifting Tone
Sir Keir described the joint statement as "an essential component of our dedication to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future".
He added: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which allied military personnel could function on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's military for the years to come."
The Ukrainian leader praised that agreement as a "huge step forward".
Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he appeared less optimistic.
"I perceive the determination, the political resolve, and that the partners are ready, and the allies are willing to give us robust economic measures, strong security guarantees," he said when asked if European countries would come to Ukraine's aid.
"However, until we don't have such binding security pacts - formally ratified, endorsed by legislatures, backed by the U.S. Congress - this question remains unresolved. 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 presence of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
One envoy stated the allies "largely finished" their work on agreeing security protocols.
Recently, the President indicated a peace deal was "90% ready".
Questions of land and security guarantees have been at the center of unresolved issues for negotiators.
Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, dismissing potential concessions 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.
Moscow now holds about three-quarters of the Donetsk oblast, and some nearly all of the adjacent Luhansk region. The two regions form the industrial Donbas region.
It has been intensifying attacks against Ukrainian cities - with a focus on power facilities. Russia has also made incremental advances in seizing additional Ukrainian land.
Ukrainian forces have retaliated at Russian targets with drones, though with more limited success.