Zelensky Declares He Lacks Explicit Defense Guarantee from European Partners
President Zelensky has stated that Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him concrete pledges that they will protect his country in the event of a fresh offensive by Russia.
"I continue to pose this critical question to all our partners 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 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, reportedly did not sign such a commitment at discussions held in the French capital on the previous day.
Details of the Paris Talks
After the Paris talks, which involved some 30 countries that comprise the group termed the 'Coalition of the Willing', British PM Keir Starmer said the UK and France would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, while French President Emmanuel Macron later said a significant number of soldiers may be sent.
Allies proposed that the United States would assume a leading role in monitoring a truce. But the key issue of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being pressured to offer to Russia as part of the peace proposals are still being discussed.
The Russian government has not yet commented on the announcement made in the French capital.
President Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Russian forces now occupies about 20% of Ukraine's land.
The President's Evolving Stance
The UK Prime Minister characterized the joint statement as "an essential component of our dedication to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future".
He added: "It establishes the pathway for the juridical structure under which British, French and partner forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the years to come."
The Ukrainian leader praised that accord as a "huge step forward".
A day later, however, he appeared less optimistic.
"I see the will, the political will, and that the allies are prepared, and the partners are ready to give us robust economic measures, powerful defense assurances," he said when asked if European countries would defend Ukraine.
"However, until we lack such security guarantees - formally ratified, endorsed by legislatures, supported by the United States Congress - this question remains unresolved. And should they materialize, you must ultimately depend primarily on your own strength."
Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict
Negotiations in Paris were also notable due 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 forefront of outstanding matters for diplomats.
Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Moscow will take control, dismissing potential concessions over how to conclude hostilities.
The Ukrainian President has thus far rejected ceding any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point - but only if Russia reciprocated the action.
Russian forces currently controls about three-quarters of the Donetsk oblast, and some nearly all 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 capturing more Ukrainian territory.
Ukrainian forces have retaliated at objectives inside Russia with drones, though with more limited success.
