Zelensky States Absence of Definitive Defense Guarantee from Partner Nations
President Zelensky has stated that Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him solid assurances that they will protect his country in the case of a future Russian attack.
"I continue to pose this critical question to all our partners and I have not received a definitive and straightforward response yet," he stated to the press on midweek.
His comments come a day after the UK and France inked a declaration of intent on stationing forces in Ukraine if a peace deal to end the war with Russia is agreed.
However, comprehensive defense assurances have yet to be solidified. The United States, which has been spearheading initiatives to halt the offensive, was reported to have abstained from signing such a commitment at discussions held in the French capital on the previous day.
Details of the Paris Talks
After the Paris talks, which included some three dozen nations that form the so-called Coalition of the Willing, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the UK and France would "set up operational bases across Ukraine" to prevent any future incursion, while France's President Macron subsequently indicated thousands of troops may be sent.
Partner nations suggested that the US would assume a leading role in monitoring a truce. But the central sticking point of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as part of the peace proposals are still being discussed.
Moscow has thus far remained silent on the declaration made in the French capital.
Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
The President's Evolving Stance
Sir Keir described the joint statement as "a vital part of our dedication to stand with Ukraine for the long-term".
He continued: "It establishes the pathway for the legal framework under which British, French and partner forces could function on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the future."
Zelensky hailed that accord as a "significant leap of progress".
Twenty-four hours afterward, 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, powerful defense assurances," he said when questioned if European countries would defend Ukraine.
"But as long as we don't have such binding security pacts - legally binding, supported by parliaments, backed by the U.S. Congress - this crucial issue cannot be answered. And even if they do, you must ultimately depend primarily on your inherent capabilities."
Persistent Challenges and Fighting
Negotiations in Paris were also notable owing to the presence of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
One envoy stated the participating countries "largely finished" their work on finalizing security arrangements.
Last week, the President indicated a settlement was "90% ready".
Territorial concessions and security guarantees have been at the center of unresolved issues for diplomats.
The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops 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 withdraw its troops to an agreed point - but provided that Russia did the same.
Russian forces currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk oblast, and some nearly all of the adjacent Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts constitute the industrial Donbas region.
It has been intensifying attacks against cities in Ukraine - particularly targeting energy infrastructure. Moscow is also achieving incremental advances in seizing additional Ukrainian land.
Ukraine has hit back at objectives inside Russia with unmanned aerial vehicles, though with varying degrees of effectiveness.
