Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky States He Lacks Explicit Security Pledge from European Partners
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says 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 am asking this very question to every one of our allies and thus far, the answer remains elusive a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he stated to the press on Wednesday.
His comments come a day after the UK and France signed a statement of purpose on deploying troops in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to end the war with Russia is reached.
However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The United States, which has been leading efforts to end the invasion, reportedly did not sign such a commitment at discussions held in the French capital on Tuesday.
Details of the Paris Talks
Following the negotiations in Paris, which involved some 30 countries 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 deter future invasion, while French President Emmanuel Macron subsequently indicated a significant number of soldiers may be deployed.
Partner nations suggested that the United States would take the lead in monitoring a truce. But the central sticking point of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as a component of the settlement terms are continuing to be negotiated.
Moscow has thus far remained silent on the announcement made in the city of Paris.
President Putin launched a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Moscow currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
The President's Evolving Stance
Sir Keir described the bilateral declaration as "a vital part of our commitment to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future".
He continued: "It establishes the pathway for the juridical structure under which allied military personnel could operate on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the years to come."
Zelensky hailed that accord as a "significant leap of progress".
Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he seemed more cautious.
"I perceive the determination, the political resolve, and that the partners are ready, and the partners are ready to give us strong sanctions, strong security guarantees," he said when asked if nations in Europe would come to Ukraine's aid.
"However, until we don't have such security guarantees - legally binding, endorsed by legislatures, backed by the U.S. Congress - this question cannot be answered. And should they materialize, you must ultimately depend first and foremost on your inherent capabilities."
Persistent Challenges and Fighting
The Paris talks were also significant owing to the attendance 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 settlement was "90% ready".
Territorial concessions and security guarantees have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for diplomats.
The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukraine's military must withdraw from the entirety of the Donbas region or Moscow will take control, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war.
The Ukrainian President has thus far rejected ceding any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an established line - but only if Russia did the same.
Moscow currently controls about three-quarters of the Donetsk region, and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts constitute the industrial Donbas region.
Attacks have been escalating against cities in Ukraine - with a focus on power facilities. Moscow is also achieving incremental advances in seizing additional Ukrainian land.
Ukraine has hit back at Russian targets with drones, though with more limited success.
