Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky States Absence of Explicit Defense Guarantee from Allies
President Zelensky has stated that Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him concrete pledges that they will protect his country in the event of a new Russian aggression.
"I continue to pose this critical question to every one of our allies and thus far, the answer remains elusive a definitive and straightforward response yet," he stated to the press on Wednesday.
These remarks follow a day after the UK and France inked a statement of purpose on deploying troops in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to end the war with Russia is agreed.
However, comprehensive defense assurances have not been agreed. 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.
Outcomes from the Paris Discussions
Following the negotiations in Paris, which included some three dozen nations that comprise 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 France's President 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 central sticking point of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being pressured to offer 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 Moscow now occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
Zelensky's Shifting Tone
Sir Keir described the joint statement as "an essential component of our dedication to stand with Ukraine for the long-term".
He added: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French and partner forces could function on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the years to come."
The Ukrainian leader praised that agreement as a "huge step forward".
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, powerful defense assurances," he said when asked if nations in Europe would defend Ukraine.
"However, until we lack such binding security pacts - formally ratified, endorsed by legislatures, supported by the United States Congress - this crucial issue remains unresolved. And even if they do, you must ultimately depend primarily 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 agreeing security protocols.
Last week, Zelensky said a settlement was "ninety percent complete".
Questions of land and security guarantees have been at the center of unresolved issues for negotiators.
The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukraine's military must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Moscow will take control, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war.
The Ukrainian President has thus far rejected relinquishing any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an established line - but only if Russia did the same.
Russian forces currently controls about three-quarters of the Donetsk region, and some nearly all of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the industrial Donbas region.
It has been intensifying attacks against Ukrainian cities - particularly targeting power facilities. Moscow is also achieving slow progress in capturing more Ukrainian territory.
Ukrainian forces have retaliated at objectives inside Russia with drones, albeit with more limited success.