Zelensky Asserts He Lacks Clear Defense Guarantee from Partner Nations
President Zelensky has stated that Ukraine's partners in Europe have failed to provide concrete pledges that they will protect his country in the case of a fresh offensive by Russia.
"I am asking this very question to every one of our allies and I have not received a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he told reporters on midweek.
His comments come a day after the UK and France inked a statement of purpose on deploying troops in Ukraine if a peace deal to end the war with Russia is finalized.
However, comprehensive defense assurances have not been agreed. The United States, which has been leading efforts to end the invasion, was reported to have abstained from signing such a commitment at talks in Paris on Tuesday.
Details of the Paris Talks
After the Paris talks, which involved some 30 countries that comprise the so-called Coalition of the Willing, British PM Keir Starmer said the two nations would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to prevent any future incursion, 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 overseeing any ceasefire. But the key issue of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as part of the peace proposals are still being discussed.
Moscow has not yet commented on the declaration made in the French capital.
President Putin launched a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Moscow currently controls about 20% of Ukraine's land.
Zelensky's Shifting Tone
The UK Prime Minister characterized the joint statement as "a vital part of our dedication to stand with Ukraine for the long-term".
He added: "It establishes the pathway for the legal framework under which allied military personnel could operate on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the future."
Zelensky hailed that accord as a "huge step forward".
A day later, however, he appeared less optimistic.
"I perceive the determination, 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 defend Ukraine.
"However, until we don't have such security guarantees - formally ratified, endorsed by legislatures, supported by the United States Congress - this crucial issue cannot be answered. And even if they do, you must ultimately depend first and foremost on your own strength."
Persistent Challenges and Fighting
The Paris talks were also significant due to the presence of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
Witkoff said the allies "mostly completed" their work on finalizing security arrangements.
Last week, Zelensky said a settlement was "ninety percent complete".
Territorial concessions and security guarantees have been at the forefront of outstanding matters for diplomats.
Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's military must withdraw from the entirety of the Donbas region or Moscow will take control, dismissing potential concessions over how to conclude hostilities.
Zelensky has so far ruled out ceding any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an established line - but only if Russia did the same.
Russian forces now holds about three-quarters of the Donetsk oblast, and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The two regions form the Donbas industrial heartland.
It has been intensifying attacks against cities in Ukraine - with a focus on energy infrastructure. Russia has also made slow progress in capturing more Ukrainian territory.
Ukrainian forces have retaliated at Russian targets with unmanned aerial vehicles, though with varying degrees of effectiveness.
