đź”— Share this article Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Declares Absence of Definitive Defense Guarantee from Partner Nations The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is nearing its fourth anniversary. President Zelensky has stated that European allies have not given him concrete pledges that they will protect his country in the case of a new Russian aggression. "I am asking this very question to all our partners and I have not received a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he stated to the press on midweek. His comments come a day after Britain and France signed a declaration of intent on deploying troops in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to conclude the conflict with Moscow is agreed. However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The US, which has been spearheading initiatives to end the invasion, 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 involved some 30 countries that form the group termed the 'Coalition of the Willing', UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the two nations would "set up operational bases across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, 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 monitoring a truce. But the central sticking point of ceding land that Ukraine is being pressured to offer 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. President Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces now occupies about 20% of Ukraine's land. Zelensky's Shifting Tone Sir Keir described the bilateral declaration as "a vital part of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the long-term". He continued: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French and partner forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the future." Zelensky hailed that accord as a "huge step forward". Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he seemed more cautious. "I perceive the determination, the political resolve, and that the allies are prepared, and the partners are ready to give us robust economic measures, powerful defense assurances," he said when questioned if European countries would come to Ukraine's aid. "But as long as we lack such security guarantees - formally ratified, endorsed by legislatures, backed by the U.S. Congress - this crucial issue cannot be answered. And should they materialize, you still have to rely first and foremost on your inherent capabilities." Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict The Paris talks were also significant owing to the attendance of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. Witkoff said the participating countries "mostly completed" their work on finalizing security arrangements. Russian forces persistently attack populated areas in Ukraine and critical infrastructure nationwide on a daily basis. Last week, Zelensky said a peace deal was "90% ready". Territorial concessions and security guarantees have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for diplomats. The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukraine's military must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, 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 redeploy its forces to an agreed point - but provided that Russia did the same. Russian forces currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region, and some nearly all of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the industrial Donbas region. Attacks have been escalating against cities in Ukraine - particularly targeting power facilities. Moscow is also achieving incremental advances in capturing more Ukrainian territory. Ukraine has hit back at objectives inside Russia with unmanned aerial vehicles, though with more limited success.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is nearing its fourth anniversary. President Zelensky has stated that European allies have not given him concrete pledges that they will protect his country in the case of a new Russian aggression. "I am asking this very question to all our partners and I have not received a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he stated to the press on midweek. His comments come a day after Britain and France signed a declaration of intent on deploying troops in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to conclude the conflict with Moscow is agreed. However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The US, which has been spearheading initiatives to end the invasion, 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 involved some 30 countries that form the group termed the 'Coalition of the Willing', UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the two nations would "set up operational bases across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, 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 monitoring a truce. But the central sticking point of ceding land that Ukraine is being pressured to offer 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. President Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces now occupies about 20% of Ukraine's land. Zelensky's Shifting Tone Sir Keir described the bilateral declaration as "a vital part of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the long-term". He continued: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French and partner forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the future." Zelensky hailed that accord as a "huge step forward". Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he seemed more cautious. "I perceive the determination, the political resolve, and that the allies are prepared, and the partners are ready to give us robust economic measures, powerful defense assurances," he said when questioned if European countries would come to Ukraine's aid. "But as long as we lack such security guarantees - formally ratified, endorsed by legislatures, backed by the U.S. Congress - this crucial issue cannot be answered. And should they materialize, you still have to rely first and foremost on your inherent capabilities." Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict The Paris talks were also significant owing to the attendance of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. Witkoff said the participating countries "mostly completed" their work on finalizing security arrangements. Russian forces persistently attack populated areas in Ukraine and critical infrastructure nationwide on a daily basis. Last week, Zelensky said a peace deal was "90% ready". Territorial concessions and security guarantees have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for diplomats. The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukraine's military must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, 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 redeploy its forces to an agreed point - but provided that Russia did the same. Russian forces currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region, and some nearly all of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the industrial Donbas region. Attacks have been escalating against cities in Ukraine - particularly targeting power facilities. Moscow is also achieving incremental advances in capturing more Ukrainian territory. Ukraine has hit back at objectives inside Russia with unmanned aerial vehicles, though with more limited success.