Zelensky States Absence of Definitive Defense Guarantee from Allies
President Zelensky has stated that Ukraine's partners in Europe have failed to provide sound guarantees that they will protect his country in the case of a fresh offensive by Russia.
"I am asking this very question to all our partners and I have not received a definitive and straightforward response yet," he told reporters on midweek.
His comments come a day after Britain and France signed a declaration of intent on stationing forces in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to end the war with Russia is finalized.
However, comprehensive defense assurances have not been agreed. The United States, which has been leading efforts to end the invasion, was reported to have abstained from signing such a commitment at talks in Paris on Tuesday.
Outcomes from the Paris Discussions
After the Paris talks, which involved some three dozen nations that comprise the so-called Coalition of the Willing, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the UK and France would "set up operational bases across Ukraine" to prevent any future incursion, while French President Emmanuel Macron subsequently indicated thousands of troops may be sent.
Allies proposed that the United States would take the lead in overseeing any ceasefire. But the key issue of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as part of the peace proposals are continuing to be negotiated.
The Russian government has not yet commented on the announcement made in the city of Paris.
President Putin initiated a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces currently controls about one-fifth of Ukraine's land.
The President's Evolving Stance
The UK Prime Minister characterized the joint statement as "an essential component of our commitment to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future".
He added: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French and partner forces could operate on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the future."
Zelensky hailed that accord as a "significant leap of progress".
Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he appeared less optimistic.
"I perceive the determination, the political will, 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 defend Ukraine.
"But as long as we don't have such binding security pacts - formally ratified, endorsed by legislatures, supported by the United States Congress - this crucial issue remains unresolved. 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 notable 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, Zelensky said a settlement was "90% ready".
Territorial concessions and security guarantees have been at the center of unresolved issues for diplomats.
The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Moscow will take control, dismissing potential concessions over how to end the war.
Zelensky has so far ruled out ceding any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point - but only if Russia reciprocated the action.
Moscow currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk oblast, and some nearly all of the adjacent Luhansk region. The two regions form the Donbas industrial heartland.
It has been intensifying attacks against Ukrainian cities - with a focus on power facilities. Moscow is also achieving incremental advances in capturing more Ukrainian territory.
Ukrainian forces have retaliated at Russian targets with drones, albeit with varying degrees of effectiveness.
