Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky States He Lacks Definitive Defense Guarantee from Partner Nations
President Zelensky has stated that Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him sound guarantees that they will protect his country in the case of a future Russian attack.
"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 if a peace deal to conclude the conflict with Moscow is agreed.
However, full security guarantees have yet to be solidified. The United States, which has been leading efforts to end the invasion, reportedly did not sign such a commitment at talks in Paris on Tuesday.
Details of the Paris Talks
Following the negotiations in Paris, which included some 30 countries that form the group termed the 'Coalition of the Willing', British PM 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.
Partner nations suggested that the US would assume a leading role 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.
The Russian government has thus far remained silent on the announcement made in the French capital.
President Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Russian forces now occupies about 20% of Ukraine's land.
Zelensky's Shifting Tone
The UK Prime Minister characterized the joint statement as "an essential component of our dedication 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 function on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the years to come."
The Ukrainian leader praised that accord as a "huge step forward".
Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he seemed more cautious.
"I perceive the determination, the political resolve, and that the partners are ready, and the partners are ready to give us strong sanctions, powerful defense assurances," he said when asked if nations in Europe would defend Ukraine.
"However, until we lack such binding security pacts - formally ratified, endorsed by legislatures, supported by the United States Congress - this crucial issue cannot be answered. And even if they do, you still have to rely primarily on your own strength."
Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict
The Paris talks were also significant owing to the presence of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
Witkoff said the allies "largely finished" their work on finalizing security arrangements.
Recently, Zelensky said a settlement was "ninety percent complete".
Questions of land and defense pledges have been at the center of outstanding matters for diplomats.
The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukraine's military must pull back from the entirety of the Donbas region or Russia will seize it, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war.
Zelensky has so far ruled out ceding any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an established line - but only if Russia did the same.
Russian forces now holds about 75% of the Donetsk region, and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions constitute the industrial Donbas region.
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 varying degrees of effectiveness.
