đź”— Share this article Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Declares He Lacks Definitive Defense Guarantee from European Partners The war in Ukraine is approaching its fourth anniversary. President Zelensky has stated that Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him sound guarantees that they will protect his country in the event of a fresh offensive by Russia. "I continue to pose this critical question to all our partners and I have not received a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he told reporters on Wednesday. His comments come a day after the UK and France inked a declaration of intent on stationing forces in Ukraine if a peace deal to end the war with Russia is agreed. However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The US, which has been leading efforts to halt the offensive, was reported to have abstained from signing such a pledge at discussions held in the French capital on the previous day. Outcomes from the Paris Discussions Following the negotiations in Paris, which included some 30 countries that comprise the group termed the 'Coalition of the Willing', British PM Keir Starmer said the UK and France would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, while French President Emmanuel Macron later said thousands of troops may be sent. Allies proposed that the US would assume a leading role in monitoring a truce. But the key issue of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being asked to grant 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 city of Paris. President Putin launched a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces now occupies about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory. Zelensky's Shifting Tone The UK Prime Minister characterized the bilateral declaration as "an essential component of our dedication to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future". He continued: "It establishes the pathway for the juridical structure under which British, French and partner forces could function on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's military for the future." The Ukrainian leader praised that agreement as a "significant leap of progress". Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he seemed more cautious. "I perceive the determination, the political will, and that the allies are prepared, and the allies are willing to give us strong sanctions, strong security guarantees," he said when asked if nations in Europe would come to Ukraine's aid. "But as long as we don't have such security guarantees - legally binding, supported by parliaments, backed by the U.S. Congress - this crucial issue remains unresolved. And even if they do, you must ultimately depend 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 allies "largely finished" their work on finalizing security arrangements. Russia continues to strike Ukrainian cities and vital facilities nationwide on a regular basis. Last week, the President indicated a settlement was "ninety percent complete". Territorial concessions and security guarantees have been at the forefront of outstanding matters for negotiators. Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the entirety of the Donbas region or Moscow will take control, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war. Zelensky has so far ruled out ceding any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an agreed point - but only if Russia did the same. Russian forces now holds about 75% of the Donetsk oblast, and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts constitute the industrial Donbas region. It has been intensifying attacks against cities in Ukraine - with a focus on energy infrastructure. Russia has also made incremental advances in seizing additional Ukrainian land. Ukraine has hit back at objectives inside Russia with unmanned aerial vehicles, though with varying degrees of effectiveness.
The war in Ukraine is approaching its fourth anniversary. President Zelensky has stated that Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him sound guarantees that they will protect his country in the event of a fresh offensive by Russia. "I continue to pose this critical question to all our partners and I have not received a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he told reporters on Wednesday. His comments come a day after the UK and France inked a declaration of intent on stationing forces in Ukraine if a peace deal to end the war with Russia is agreed. However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The US, which has been leading efforts to halt the offensive, was reported to have abstained from signing such a pledge at discussions held in the French capital on the previous day. Outcomes from the Paris Discussions Following the negotiations in Paris, which included some 30 countries that comprise the group termed the 'Coalition of the Willing', British PM Keir Starmer said the UK and France would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, while French President Emmanuel Macron later said thousands of troops may be sent. Allies proposed that the US would assume a leading role in monitoring a truce. But the key issue of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being asked to grant 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 city of Paris. President Putin launched a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces now occupies about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory. Zelensky's Shifting Tone The UK Prime Minister characterized the bilateral declaration as "an essential component of our dedication to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future". He continued: "It establishes the pathway for the juridical structure under which British, French and partner forces could function on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's military for the future." The Ukrainian leader praised that agreement as a "significant leap of progress". Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he seemed more cautious. "I perceive the determination, the political will, and that the allies are prepared, and the allies are willing to give us strong sanctions, strong security guarantees," he said when asked if nations in Europe would come to Ukraine's aid. "But as long as we don't have such security guarantees - legally binding, supported by parliaments, backed by the U.S. Congress - this crucial issue remains unresolved. And even if they do, you must ultimately depend 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 allies "largely finished" their work on finalizing security arrangements. Russia continues to strike Ukrainian cities and vital facilities nationwide on a regular basis. Last week, the President indicated a settlement was "ninety percent complete". Territorial concessions and security guarantees have been at the forefront of outstanding matters for negotiators. Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the entirety of the Donbas region or Moscow will take control, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war. Zelensky has so far ruled out ceding any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an agreed point - but only if Russia did the same. Russian forces now holds about 75% of the Donetsk oblast, and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts constitute the industrial Donbas region. It has been intensifying attacks against cities in Ukraine - with a focus on energy infrastructure. Russia has also made incremental advances in seizing additional Ukrainian land. Ukraine has hit back at objectives inside Russia with unmanned aerial vehicles, though with varying degrees of effectiveness.