Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky States He Lacks Explicit Security Pledge from Allies
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him concrete pledges that they will defend Ukraine in the case of a new Russian aggression.
"I am asking this very question to all our partners and thus far, the answer remains elusive a definitive and straightforward response yet," he stated to the press on midweek.
These remarks follow a day after the UK and France signed a statement of purpose on stationing forces in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to conclude the conflict with Moscow is finalized.
However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The United States, which has been spearheading initiatives to halt the offensive, was reported to have abstained from signing such a pledge at discussions held in the French capital on the previous day.
Outcomes from the Paris Discussions
After the Paris talks, which included some 30 countries that form 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 prevent any future incursion, while French President Emmanuel Macron later said thousands of troops may be sent.
Allies proposed that the United States would take the lead 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.
Moscow has thus far remained silent on the announcement made in the French capital.
President Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Moscow currently controls about 20% of Ukraine's land.
Zelensky's Shifting Tone
Sir Keir described the bilateral declaration as "a vital part of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future".
He continued: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which allied military personnel could function on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the future."
Zelensky hailed that agreement as a "significant leap of progress".
Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he appeared less optimistic.
"I see the will, the political resolve, and that the allies are prepared, and the partners are ready to give us strong sanctions, strong security guarantees," he said when questioned if European countries would defend Ukraine.
"However, until we lack such security guarantees - legally binding, supported by parliaments, backed by the U.S. Congress - this crucial issue remains unresolved. And should they materialize, you still have to rely first and foremost on your inherent capabilities."
Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict
The Paris talks were also significant owing to the attendance of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
One envoy stated the allies "mostly completed" their work on finalizing security arrangements.
Last week, Zelensky said a settlement was "ninety percent complete".
Territorial concessions and security guarantees have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for negotiators.
The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war.
The Ukrainian President has thus far rejected relinquishing any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an agreed point - but provided that Russia reciprocated the action.
Moscow currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region, and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions constitute the Donbas industrial heartland.
It has been intensifying attacks against Ukrainian cities - particularly targeting energy infrastructure. Moscow is also achieving incremental advances in capturing more Ukrainian territory.
Ukrainian forces have retaliated at objectives inside Russia with unmanned aerial vehicles, albeit with varying degrees of effectiveness.
