Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky States He Lacks Definitive Defense Guarantee from Partner Nations
President Zelensky has stated that Ukraine's partners in Europe have failed to provide solid assurances that they will defend Ukraine in the event of a future Russian attack.
"I am asking this very question to all our partners and I have not received a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he told reporters on midweek.
His comments come a day after Britain and France signed a statement of purpose on stationing forces in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to end the war with Russia is agreed.
However, comprehensive defense assurances have not been agreed. The US, which has been spearheading initiatives to end the invasion, was reported to have abstained from signing such a pledge 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, British PM Keir Starmer said the UK and France would "establish military hubs 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 United States would take the lead in monitoring a truce. 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 continuing to be negotiated.
Moscow has not yet commented on the declaration made in the French capital.
President Putin initiated a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow currently controls about one-fifth of Ukraine's land.
The President's Evolving Stance
The UK Prime Minister characterized the bilateral declaration as "an essential component of our dedication to stand with Ukraine for the long-term".
He continued: "It establishes the pathway for the juridical structure under which British, French and partner forces could function on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the future."
Zelensky hailed that accord as a "huge step forward".
A day later, however, he appeared less optimistic.
"I perceive the determination, the political will, and that the allies are prepared, and the partners are ready 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, backed by the U.S. Congress - this question cannot be answered. And should they materialize, you must ultimately depend primarily on your inherent capabilities."
Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict
The Paris talks were also notable due to the presence of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
Witkoff said the participating countries "largely finished" their work on agreeing security protocols.
Last week, Zelensky said a settlement was "ninety percent complete".
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 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 proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point - but provided that Russia did the same.
Russian forces currently controls about three-quarters of the Donetsk region, and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the industrial Donbas region.
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 objectives inside Russia with unmanned aerial vehicles, albeit with varying degrees of effectiveness.