Zelensky States Absence of Definitive Security Pledge 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 event of a fresh offensive by Russia.
"I am asking this very question to every one of our allies and I have not received a definitive and straightforward response yet," he told reporters on Wednesday.
His comments come a day after Britain and France signed 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 United States, which has been spearheading initiatives to end the invasion, reportedly did not sign 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 form the group termed the 'Coalition of the Willing', British PM Keir Starmer said the UK and France would "set up operational bases across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, while French President Emmanuel Macron subsequently indicated a significant number of soldiers may be sent.
Partner nations suggested that the United States would take the lead in overseeing any ceasefire. 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.
Moscow has not yet commented on the declaration made in the French capital.
President Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Russian forces currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
Zelensky's Shifting Tone
The UK Prime Minister characterized the joint statement as "an essential component of our dedication to support Ukraine for the long-term".
He added: "It establishes the pathway for the juridical structure under which allied military personnel could operate on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the future."
The Ukrainian leader praised that agreement as a "huge step forward".
A day later, however, he seemed more cautious.
"I see the will, the political resolve, and that the allies are prepared, and the allies are willing to give us robust economic measures, strong security guarantees," he said when questioned if European countries would come to Ukraine's aid.
"But as long as we don't have such security guarantees - formally ratified, endorsed by legislatures, backed by the U.S. Congress - this crucial issue remains unresolved. 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 significant owing to the presence of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
One envoy stated the participating countries "mostly completed" their work on agreeing security protocols.
Last week, Zelensky said a peace deal was "90% ready".
Questions of land and defense pledges have been at the forefront of outstanding matters for diplomats.
Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, dismissing potential concessions over how to end the war.
Zelensky has so far ruled out relinquishing any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an agreed point - but provided that Russia reciprocated the action.
Russian forces now holds about 75% of the Donetsk region, and some nearly all of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions form the industrial Donbas region.
Attacks have been escalating against Ukrainian cities - with a focus on energy infrastructure. Russia has also made incremental advances in capturing more Ukrainian territory.
Ukrainian forces have retaliated at objectives inside Russia with drones, albeit with varying degrees of effectiveness.
