Zelensky Asserts He Lacks Definitive Defense Guarantee from European Partners
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 future Russian attack.
"I continue to pose this critical question to all our partners and thus far, the answer remains elusive a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he told reporters on Wednesday.
These remarks follow a day after the UK and France signed a declaration of intent on deploying troops in Ukraine if a peace deal to conclude the conflict with Moscow is finalized.
However, full security guarantees have yet to be solidified. The United States, which has been leading efforts to halt the offensive, reportedly did not sign such a pledge at talks in Paris on the previous day.
Details of the Paris Talks
After the Paris talks, which included some 30 countries that form the group termed the '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 French President Emmanuel Macron later said thousands of troops may be sent.
Partner nations suggested that the United States would take the lead in overseeing any ceasefire. But the central sticking point of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as a component of the settlement terms are still being discussed.
Moscow has not yet commented on the announcement made in the city of Paris.
Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
Zelensky's Shifting Tone
The UK Prime Minister characterized the joint statement as "an essential component of our dedication to support Ukraine for the long-term".
He continued: "It establishes the pathway for the juridical structure under which British, French and partner forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the years to come."
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 will, and that the allies are prepared, and the allies are willing to give us robust economic measures, strong security guarantees," he said when asked if European countries would defend Ukraine.
"However, until we don't have such binding security pacts - formally ratified, endorsed by legislatures, backed by the U.S. Congress - this crucial issue remains unresolved. And should they materialize, you still have to rely primarily on your own strength."
Persistent Challenges and Fighting
The Paris talks were also significant owing to the attendance of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
One envoy stated the allies "largely finished" their work on finalizing security arrangements.
Recently, the President indicated a peace deal was "90% ready".
Territorial concessions and security guarantees have been at the center of unresolved issues for negotiators.
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 proposed that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an agreed point - but provided that Russia did the same.
Russian forces currently controls about three-quarters of the Donetsk oblast, and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions form the industrial Donbas region.
Attacks have been escalating against Ukrainian cities - with a focus on power facilities. Russia has also made incremental advances in seizing additional Ukrainian land.
Ukrainian forces have retaliated at Russian targets with unmanned aerial vehicles, albeit with varying degrees of effectiveness.
