Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Declares Absence of Definitive Defense Guarantee from Allies
President Zelensky has stated that European allies have not given him solid assurances 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 definitive and straightforward response yet," he told reporters on Wednesday.
His comments come a day after Britain and France signed 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, reportedly did not sign such a commitment at talks in Paris on Tuesday.
Outcomes from the Paris Discussions
After the Paris talks, which included some 30 countries that form the group termed the 'Coalition of the Willing', British PM Keir Starmer said the two nations would "set up operational bases across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, while France's President Macron later said thousands of troops may be sent.
Allies proposed that the United States would take the lead in monitoring a truce. But the key issue of ceding land that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as part of the peace proposals are continuing to be negotiated.
Moscow has not yet commented on the announcement made in the French capital.
President Putin launched a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces currently controls about one-fifth of Ukraine's land.
The President's Evolving Stance
The UK Prime Minister characterized the bilateral declaration as "a vital part of our dedication to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future".
He added: "It establishes the pathway for the legal framework under which British, French and partner forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's military for the years to come."
Zelensky hailed that agreement as a "significant leap of progress".
A day later, however, he appeared less optimistic.
"I see the will, the political will, and that the partners are ready, and the allies are willing to give us robust economic measures, powerful defense assurances," he said when asked if nations in Europe would come to Ukraine's aid.
"But as long as we lack 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 still have to rely primarily on your own strength."
Persistent Challenges and Fighting
Negotiations in Paris 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 "mostly completed" their work on agreeing security protocols.
Recently, the President indicated a settlement was "90% ready".
Questions of land and defense pledges have been at the forefront of outstanding matters for negotiators.
Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must pull back from the entirety of the Donbas region or Russia will seize it, rejecting any compromise 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 reciprocated the action.
Russian forces currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk oblast, and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions constitute the Donbas industrial heartland.
It has been intensifying attacks against Ukrainian cities - with a focus on power facilities. Russia has also made slow progress in capturing more Ukrainian territory.
Ukraine has hit back at objectives inside Russia with drones, though with more limited success.
