Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky States He Lacks Explicit Defense Guarantee from Allies
President Zelensky has stated that European allies have failed to provide solid assurances that they will protect his country in the event of a fresh offensive by Russia.
"I am asking this very 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 statement of purpose on deploying troops 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 leading efforts 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
After the Paris talks, which involved some 30 countries that form the so-called Coalition of the Willing, British PM Keir Starmer said the two nations would "set up operational bases across Ukraine" to prevent any future incursion, while French President Emmanuel Macron subsequently indicated 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 ceding land that Ukraine is being pressured to offer to Russia as a component of the settlement terms are still being discussed.
The Russian government has not yet commented on the declaration made in the French capital.
President Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces now occupies about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory.
The President's Evolving Stance
The UK Prime Minister characterized the joint statement as "a vital part of our dedication to support Ukraine for the long-term".
He added: "It establishes the pathway for the juridical structure under which British, French and partner forces could function on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the future."
The Ukrainian leader praised that agreement as a "huge step forward".
Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he appeared less optimistic.
"I see the will, the political resolve, and that the partners are ready, and the partners are ready to give us robust economic measures, strong security guarantees," he said when asked if European countries would defend Ukraine.
"But as long as we don't have such binding security pacts - legally binding, supported by parliaments, supported by the United States Congress - this crucial issue cannot be answered. And should they materialize, you must ultimately depend primarily on your own strength."
Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict
Negotiations in Paris were also significant owing to the attendance of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
Witkoff said the participating countries "mostly completed" their work on agreeing security protocols.
Last week, Zelensky said a settlement was "90% ready".
Territorial concessions and security guarantees have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for negotiators.
The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukraine's military must withdraw from the entirety of the Donbas region or Moscow will take control, rejecting any compromise 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 established line - but provided that Russia reciprocated the action.
Moscow currently controls about three-quarters of the Donetsk region, and some nearly all of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions constitute the Donbas industrial heartland.
It has been intensifying attacks against Ukrainian cities - with a focus on energy infrastructure. Moscow is also achieving slow progress in capturing more Ukrainian territory.
Ukrainian forces have retaliated at Russian targets with drones, though with varying degrees of effectiveness.