Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Declares Absence of Clear Defense Guarantee from Allies
President Zelensky has stated that European allies have not given him concrete pledges that they will protect his country in the event of a new Russian aggression.
"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 the UK and France inked a declaration of intent 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 United States, which has been leading efforts to halt the offensive, reportedly did not sign such a pledge at discussions held in the French capital on Tuesday.
Outcomes from the Paris Discussions
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 two nations would "set up operational bases across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, while France's President Macron subsequently indicated 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 central sticking point of ceding land that Ukraine is being pressured to offer 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 city of Paris.
President Putin launched a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces currently controls about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory.
The President's Evolving Stance
Sir Keir described the joint statement as "an essential component of our dedication to stand with Ukraine for the long-term".
He added: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which British, French and partner forces could function on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the future."
Zelensky hailed that agreement as a "huge step forward".
A day later, 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, powerful defense assurances," he said when asked if nations in Europe would defend Ukraine.
"However, until we don't have such binding security pacts - formally ratified, endorsed by legislatures, backed by the U.S. Congress - this crucial issue cannot be answered. And should they materialize, you still have to rely primarily on your inherent capabilities."
Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict
Negotiations in Paris were also significant owing to the presence of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
One envoy stated the participating countries "largely finished" their work on agreeing security protocols.
Last week, the President indicated a settlement was "ninety percent complete".
Territorial concessions and security guarantees have been at the center of unresolved issues for diplomats.
The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukraine's military must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Moscow will take control, rejecting any compromise 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 established line - but provided that Russia did the same.
Russian forces now holds about 75% of the Donetsk oblast, and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts 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.
Ukrainian forces have retaliated at Russian targets with unmanned aerial vehicles, though with more limited success.