Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Asserts Absence of Definitive Security Pledge from Allies
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him sound guarantees that they will protect his country in the case of a fresh offensive by Russia.
"I am asking this very question to every one of our allies and I have not received a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he told reporters on midweek.
His comments come a day after Britain and France inked a statement of purpose on deploying troops in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to conclude the conflict with Moscow is agreed.
However, full security guarantees have yet to be solidified. The US, which has been spearheading initiatives to end the invasion, reportedly did not sign such a pledge at discussions held in the French capital on the previous day.
Details of the Paris Talks
After the Paris talks, which involved some three dozen nations that form the group termed the 'Coalition of the Willing', UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the two nations would "set up operational bases across Ukraine" to prevent any future incursion, while French President Emmanuel Macron later said a significant number of soldiers may be sent.
Allies proposed that the United States would take the lead in overseeing any ceasefire. 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 not yet commented on the announcement made in the French capital.
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Russian forces currently controls about one-fifth of Ukraine's land.
Zelensky's Shifting Tone
Sir Keir described the joint statement as "a vital part of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the long-term".
He continued: "It establishes the pathway for the legal framework under which British, French and partner forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's military for the years to come."
The Ukrainian leader praised that agreement 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 strong sanctions, powerful defense assurances," he said when questioned if nations in Europe would defend Ukraine.
"However, until we don't have such security guarantees - legally binding, endorsed by legislatures, backed by the U.S. Congress - this crucial issue remains unresolved. And should they materialize, you must ultimately depend primarily on your own strength."
Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict
The Paris talks were also notable owing to the presence of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
Witkoff said the participating countries "largely finished" their work on finalizing security arrangements.
Recently, Zelensky said a settlement was "ninety percent complete".
Questions of land and security guarantees have been at the center of outstanding matters for negotiators.
Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's military must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Moscow will take control, dismissing potential concessions over how to conclude hostilities.
Zelensky has so far ruled out relinquishing any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an agreed point - but provided that Russia did the same.
Russian forces now holds about three-quarters of the Donetsk oblast, and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts constitute the Donbas industrial heartland.
It has been intensifying attacks against cities in Ukraine - with a focus on power facilities. Moscow is also achieving incremental advances in capturing more Ukrainian territory.
Ukraine has hit back at Russian targets with unmanned aerial vehicles, albeit with more limited success.
