Zelensky Asserts Absence of Clear Defense Guarantee from Allies
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says European allies have not given him solid assurances that they will defend Ukraine in the case of a future Russian attack.
"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.
These remarks follow a day after Britain and France inked a declaration of intent on stationing forces in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to conclude the conflict with Moscow is reached.
However, full security guarantees have yet to be solidified. The US, which has been leading efforts to halt the offensive, was reported to have abstained from signing such a pledge at talks in Paris on Tuesday.
Outcomes from the Paris Discussions
After the Paris talks, which included some three dozen nations that comprise the so-called Coalition of the Willing, British PM Keir Starmer said the UK and France would "set up operational bases across Ukraine" to prevent any future incursion, while France's President Macron later said thousands of troops may be deployed.
Allies proposed that the United States would take the lead in monitoring a truce. But the central sticking point of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as a component of the settlement terms are still being discussed.
Moscow has thus far remained silent on the announcement made in the city of Paris.
President Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow now occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
The President's Evolving Stance
The UK Prime Minister characterized the joint statement as "a vital part of our dedication to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future".
He added: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which allied military personnel could operate on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's military for the years to come."
The Ukrainian leader praised that agreement 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 robust economic measures, strong security guarantees," he said when asked if European countries would come to Ukraine's aid.
"But as long as we lack such binding security pacts - legally binding, supported by parliaments, backed by the U.S. Congress - this question remains unresolved. And should they materialize, you must ultimately depend primarily on your inherent capabilities."
Persistent Challenges and Fighting
Negotiations in Paris were also significant due to the attendance of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
Witkoff said the participating countries "mostly completed" their work on finalizing security arrangements.
Recently, Zelensky said a peace deal was "90% ready".
Territorial concessions and defense pledges have been at the center of unresolved issues for diplomats.
Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must pull back from the entirety of the Donbas region or Russia will seize it, dismissing potential concessions over how to conclude hostilities.
Zelensky has so far ruled out ceding any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point - but only if Russia did the same.
Moscow currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk oblast, and some nearly all 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 energy infrastructure. Moscow is also achieving incremental advances in seizing additional Ukrainian land.
Ukraine has hit back at Russian targets with unmanned aerial vehicles, though with more limited success.
