Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Declares Absence of Definitive Security Pledge from Allies
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says European allies have not given him sound guarantees that they will protect his country in the event of a future Russian attack.
"I continue to pose this critical question to all our partners and thus far, the answer remains elusive a definitive and straightforward response yet," he told reporters on midweek.
His comments come a day after Britain and France inked a declaration of intent on stationing forces in Ukraine if a peace deal to end the war with Russia is reached.
However, comprehensive defense assurances have not been agreed. The United States, which has been leading efforts to halt the offensive, reportedly did not sign such a commitment at discussions held in the French capital on Tuesday.
Outcomes from the Paris Discussions
Following the negotiations in Paris, which involved some 30 countries that comprise the so-called Coalition of the Willing, British PM Keir Starmer said the two nations would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, while French President Emmanuel Macron subsequently indicated a significant number of soldiers may be deployed.
Allies proposed that the United States would assume a leading role in monitoring a truce. 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.
The Russian government has not yet commented on the declaration made in the French capital.
Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces now occupies about one-fifth of Ukraine's land.
The President's Evolving Stance
Sir Keir described the bilateral declaration as "an essential component of our dedication to support Ukraine for the long-term".
He added: "It establishes the pathway 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."
Zelensky hailed that agreement as a "significant leap of progress".
A day later, however, he appeared less optimistic.
"I perceive the determination, the political resolve, and that the partners are ready, and the partners are ready to give us strong sanctions, powerful defense assurances," he said when questioned if European countries would come to Ukraine's aid.
"But as long as we lack such security guarantees - formally ratified, supported by parliaments, backed by the U.S. Congress - this crucial issue remains unresolved. And should they materialize, you must ultimately depend first and foremost on your own strength."
Persistent Challenges and Fighting
Negotiations in Paris were also significant owing to the presence of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
One envoy stated the allies "largely finished" their work on agreeing security protocols.
Recently, Zelensky said a settlement was "90% ready".
Territorial concessions and defense pledges have been at the forefront of outstanding matters for diplomats.
The Russian leader has consistently stated 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 ceding any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an agreed point - but only if Russia reciprocated the action.
Moscow now holds about 75% of the Donetsk region, and some nearly all of the adjacent Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts constitute 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 Russian targets with unmanned aerial vehicles, though with more limited success.
