Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky States He Lacks Clear Defense Guarantee from Allies
President Zelensky has stated that Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him sound guarantees that they will defend Ukraine in the event of a new Russian aggression.
"I continue to pose this critical question to every one of our allies and thus far, the answer remains elusive a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he told reporters on Wednesday.
His comments come a day after Britain and France inked a declaration of intent on stationing forces in Ukraine if a peace deal to end the war with Russia is agreed.
However, comprehensive defense assurances have not been agreed. The US, which has been spearheading initiatives to end the invasion, was reported to have abstained from signing such a pledge at discussions held in the French capital on Tuesday.
Details of the Paris Talks
Following the negotiations in Paris, which included some three dozen nations that form the so-called 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.
Partner nations suggested that the US would assume a leading role in overseeing any ceasefire. But the key issue of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being pressured to offer to Russia as a component of the settlement terms are still being discussed.
Moscow has not yet commented on the announcement made in the French capital.
President Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Moscow now occupies about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory.
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 long-term".
He added: "It paves the way for the juridical structure 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 years to come."
The Ukrainian leader praised that accord as a "huge step forward".
Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he seemed more cautious.
"I see the will, the political will, 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.
"But as long as we don't have such binding security pacts - legally binding, supported by parliaments, supported by the United States Congress - this question remains unresolved. And should they materialize, you must ultimately depend primarily on your inherent capabilities."
Persistent Challenges and Fighting
The Paris talks were also notable due to the attendance of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, 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".
Questions of land and security guarantees have been at the forefront of outstanding matters for diplomats.
Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's military must pull back from the entirety of the Donbas region or Moscow will take control, rejecting any compromise over how to conclude hostilities.
The Ukrainian President has thus far rejected relinquishing any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its troops 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 pair of oblasts constitute the Donbas industrial heartland.
Attacks have been escalating against Ukrainian cities - particularly targeting energy infrastructure. Russia has also made incremental advances in capturing more Ukrainian territory.
Ukraine has hit back at objectives inside Russia with unmanned aerial vehicles, albeit with varying degrees of effectiveness.