Zelensky Asserts 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 new Russian aggression.
"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 Wednesday.
His comments come a day after the UK and France inked a statement of purpose on stationing forces in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to end the war with Russia is finalized.
However, comprehensive defense assurances have yet to be solidified. The US, which has been leading efforts to end the invasion, reportedly did not sign such a pledge at talks in Paris on the previous day.
Details of the Paris Talks
Following the negotiations in Paris, which involved some 30 countries that comprise the group termed the '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 thousands of troops may be sent.
Allies proposed that the US would take the lead 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 continuing to be negotiated.
Moscow has not yet commented on the announcement made in the French capital.
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Russian forces currently controls about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory.
Zelensky's Shifting Tone
Sir Keir described the bilateral declaration as "a vital part of our commitment to support Ukraine for the long-term".
He continued: "It establishes the pathway for the legal framework under which allied military personnel could operate on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's military for the future."
Zelensky hailed that accord 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 allies are willing to give us robust economic measures, strong security guarantees," he said when questioned if nations in Europe would come to Ukraine's aid.
"However, until we don't have such security guarantees - legally binding, supported by parliaments, supported by the United States Congress - this question cannot be answered. And even if they do, you still have to rely first and foremost on your inherent capabilities."
Persistent Challenges and Fighting
The Paris talks were also significant owing to the presence of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Witkoff said the allies "largely finished" their work on agreeing security protocols.
Recently, the President indicated a peace deal was "ninety percent complete".
Territorial concessions and defense pledges have been at the center of outstanding matters for diplomats.
Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's military must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, rejecting any compromise over how to conclude hostilities.
The Ukrainian President has thus far rejected relinquishing any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an established line - but provided that Russia did the same.
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 Ukrainian cities - particularly targeting power facilities. Moscow is also achieving slow progress in capturing more Ukrainian territory.
Ukrainian forces have retaliated at objectives inside Russia with unmanned aerial vehicles, though with varying degrees of effectiveness.
