Zelensky Asserts Absence of Clear Defense Guarantee from Allies
President Zelensky has stated that European allies have failed to provide concrete pledges that they will defend Ukraine in the event of a fresh offensive by Russia.
"I continue to pose this critical question to all our partners and I have not received 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 deploying troops in Ukraine if a peace deal to end the war with Russia is reached.
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 the previous day.
Outcomes from the Paris Discussions
After the Paris talks, which involved some 30 countries 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 prevent any future incursion, while French President Emmanuel Macron later said thousands of troops may be sent.
Partner nations suggested that the US would take the lead in monitoring a truce. But the central sticking point of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being pressured to offer to Russia as a component of the settlement terms are continuing to be negotiated.
The Russian government has not yet commented on the declaration made in the French capital.
President Putin initiated a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Russian forces now occupies 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 stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future".
He continued: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which British, French and partner forces could function on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the future."
Zelensky hailed that agreement as a "significant leap of progress".
A day later, however, he seemed more cautious.
"I see the will, the political will, and that the allies are prepared, and the allies are willing to give us strong sanctions, powerful defense assurances," he said when asked if European countries would come to Ukraine's aid.
"However, until we lack such binding security pacts - formally ratified, endorsed by legislatures, supported by the United States Congress - this question remains unresolved. And should they materialize, you still have to rely primarily on your own strength."
Persistent Challenges and Fighting
Negotiations in Paris were also notable due to the attendance of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
One envoy stated the participating countries "largely finished" 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 center of unresolved issues for negotiators.
The Russian leader has consistently stated 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 did the same.
Moscow currently controls about three-quarters of the Donetsk oblast, and some nearly all of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts constitute the Donbas industrial heartland.
Attacks have been escalating against Ukrainian cities - with a focus on energy infrastructure. Moscow is also achieving slow progress in capturing more Ukrainian territory.
Ukraine has hit back at objectives inside Russia with drones, albeit with more limited success.
