Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Asserts Absence of Definitive Security Pledge from European Partners
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 every one of our allies 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 inked a statement of purpose on deploying troops in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to end the war with Russia is agreed.
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 pledge at discussions held in the French capital on Tuesday.
Outcomes from the Paris Discussions
After the Paris talks, which involved some 30 countries that comprise the so-called Coalition of the Willing, British PM Keir Starmer said the UK and France would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to prevent any future incursion, while France's President Macron later said thousands of troops may be sent.
Partner nations suggested that the United States would assume a leading role in monitoring a truce. But the central sticking point 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 thus far remained silent on the announcement made in the French capital.
President Putin initiated a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Moscow now occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
Zelensky's Shifting Tone
The UK Prime Minister characterized the bilateral declaration as "an essential component of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future".
He added: "It establishes the pathway for the legal framework under which British, French and partner forces could function on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the years to come."
The Ukrainian leader praised that accord as a "huge step forward".
Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he appeared less optimistic.
"I see the will, the political will, and that the allies are prepared, and the allies are willing to give us robust economic measures, strong security guarantees," he said when asked if European countries would defend Ukraine.
"But as long as we lack such binding security pacts - legally binding, supported by parliaments, supported by the United States Congress - this question cannot be answered. And even if they do, you must ultimately depend first and foremost on your inherent capabilities."
Persistent Challenges and Fighting
The Paris talks were also notable owing to the attendance of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Witkoff said the participating countries "mostly completed" their work on agreeing security protocols.
Last week, Zelensky said a settlement was "ninety percent complete".
Questions of land and defense pledges have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for negotiators.
The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the entirety of the Donbas region or Moscow will take control, rejecting any compromise over how to conclude hostilities.
Zelensky has so far ruled out ceding any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an agreed point - but only if Russia reciprocated the action.
Moscow now holds about three-quarters of the Donetsk region, and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The two regions constitute the industrial Donbas region.
Attacks have been escalating against Ukrainian cities - with a focus on power facilities. Moscow is also achieving slow progress in capturing more Ukrainian territory.
Ukrainian forces have retaliated at objectives inside Russia with drones, though with more limited success.
