Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky States He Lacks Definitive Security Pledge from Partner Nations
President Zelensky has stated that European allies have not given him concrete pledges that they will protect his country in the event of a fresh offensive by Russia.
"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 told reporters on Wednesday.
His comments come a day after the UK and France inked a statement of purpose on stationing forces in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to conclude the conflict with Moscow is agreed.
However, comprehensive defense assurances have not been agreed. The US, 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 three dozen nations that form the so-called Coalition of the Willing, British PM Keir Starmer said the two nations would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, 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 monitoring a truce. But the key issue of ceding land that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as a component of the settlement terms are still being discussed.
The Russian government has not yet commented on the declaration made in the city of Paris.
President Putin initiated a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces currently controls 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 continued: "It establishes the pathway for the legal framework under which British, French and partner forces could operate on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's military for the years to come."
Zelensky hailed that agreement as a "huge step forward".
A day later, however, he appeared less optimistic.
"I see the will, the political will, and that the partners are ready, and the partners are ready to give us robust economic measures, powerful defense assurances," he said when questioned if nations in Europe would come to Ukraine's aid.
"However, until we don't have such binding security pacts - legally binding, endorsed by legislatures, backed by the U.S. Congress - this question cannot be answered. And even if they do, you must ultimately depend first and foremost on your own strength."
Persistent Challenges and Fighting
Negotiations in Paris were also notable owing to the attendance of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
One envoy stated the participating countries "largely finished" their work on agreeing security protocols.
Last week, the President indicated a settlement was "ninety percent complete".
Questions of land and defense pledges have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for negotiators.
Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Moscow will take control, dismissing potential concessions over how to end the war.
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 75% of the Donetsk region, and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the industrial Donbas region.
Attacks have been escalating against cities in Ukraine - with a focus on energy infrastructure. Russia has also made incremental advances in seizing additional Ukrainian land.
Ukraine has hit back at Russian targets with unmanned aerial vehicles, albeit with varying degrees of effectiveness.
