Zelensky States Absence of Explicit Security Pledge from Partner Nations
President Zelensky has stated that European allies have failed to provide sound guarantees that they will protect his country in the case of a new Russian aggression.
"I am asking this very question to all our partners and I have not received a definitive and straightforward response yet," he told reporters on midweek.
His comments come a day after Britain and France signed a statement of purpose on deploying troops in Ukraine if a peace deal to conclude the conflict with Moscow is finalized.
However, full security guarantees have yet to be solidified. The United States, which has been spearheading initiatives 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 30 countries that form the group termed the 'Coalition of the Willing', UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the two nations would "set up operational bases across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, while French President Emmanuel Macron later said a significant number of soldiers may be deployed.
Allies proposed 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 still being discussed.
Moscow has thus far remained silent on the announcement made in the French capital.
President Putin launched a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Russian forces currently controls about one-fifth of Ukraine's land.
Zelensky's Shifting Tone
The UK Prime Minister characterized the bilateral declaration as "a vital part of our dedication to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future".
He continued: "It establishes the pathway for the legal framework under which allied military personnel could function on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the years to come."
Zelensky hailed that accord as a "significant leap of progress".
A day later, however, he seemed more cautious.
"I perceive the determination, the political will, and that the partners are ready, and the allies are willing to give us strong sanctions, strong security guarantees," he said when asked if European countries would come to Ukraine's aid.
"However, until we don't have such security guarantees - legally binding, endorsed by legislatures, supported by the United States Congress - this question remains unresolved. And even if they do, you still have to rely first and foremost on your inherent capabilities."
Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict
Negotiations in Paris were also notable due to the attendance of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
Witkoff said the allies "largely finished" their work on agreeing security protocols.
Recently, the President indicated a settlement was "ninety percent complete".
Questions of land and defense pledges have been at the forefront of outstanding matters for negotiators.
Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's military must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, dismissing potential concessions over how to end the war.
The Ukrainian President has thus far rejected ceding any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an agreed point - but only if Russia reciprocated the action.
Moscow currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk oblast, and some nearly all of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the industrial Donbas region.
It has been intensifying attacks against cities in Ukraine - particularly targeting power facilities. Russia has also made slow progress in seizing additional Ukrainian land.
Ukrainian forces have retaliated at objectives inside Russia with unmanned aerial vehicles, albeit with varying degrees of effectiveness.
