🔗 Share this article Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Asserts He Lacks Explicit Defense Guarantee from Allies The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is approaching its fourth anniversary. President Zelensky has stated that European allies have not given him sound guarantees that they will defend Ukraine in the event of a fresh offensive by Russia. "I continue to pose this critical question to all our partners and thus far, the answer remains elusive a definitive and straightforward response yet," he told reporters on Wednesday. His comments come a day after the UK and France signed a declaration of intent on stationing forces in Ukraine if a peace deal to conclude the conflict with Moscow is agreed. However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The US, which has been leading efforts to end the invasion, was reported to have abstained from signing such a commitment at discussions held in the French capital on Tuesday. Details of the Paris Talks After the Paris talks, which involved some three dozen nations that form the so-called Coalition of the Willing, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the two nations would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to prevent any future incursion, while French President Emmanuel Macron later said thousands of troops may be deployed. Allies proposed that the US would assume a leading role in monitoring a truce. 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 thus far remained silent on the declaration made in the French capital. Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces now occupies about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory. The President's Evolving Stance Sir Keir described the joint statement as "an essential component of our dedication to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future". He added: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which British, French and partner forces could operate on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the years to come." Zelensky hailed that accord as a "significant leap of progress". A day later, however, he appeared less optimistic. "I perceive the determination, 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 questioned if nations in Europe would come to Ukraine's aid. "However, until we don't have such security guarantees - formally ratified, endorsed by legislatures, 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 inherent capabilities." Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict Negotiations in Paris were also notable owing to the presence of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Witkoff said the allies "largely finished" their work on agreeing security protocols. Russia continues to strike populated areas in Ukraine and vital facilities nationwide on a daily basis. Recently, the President indicated a settlement was "ninety percent complete". Territorial concessions and defense pledges 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, dismissing potential concessions over how to end the war. Zelensky has so far ruled out relinquishing any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an established line - but provided that Russia did the same. Russian forces now holds about three-quarters 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 - with a focus on power facilities. Russia has also made incremental advances in seizing additional Ukrainian land. Ukrainian forces have retaliated at objectives inside Russia with drones, albeit with more limited success.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is approaching its fourth anniversary. President Zelensky has stated that European allies have not given him sound guarantees that they will defend Ukraine in the event of a fresh offensive by Russia. "I continue to pose this critical question to all our partners and thus far, the answer remains elusive a definitive and straightforward response yet," he told reporters on Wednesday. His comments come a day after the UK and France signed a declaration of intent on stationing forces in Ukraine if a peace deal to conclude the conflict with Moscow is agreed. However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The US, which has been leading efforts to end the invasion, was reported to have abstained from signing such a commitment at discussions held in the French capital on Tuesday. Details of the Paris Talks After the Paris talks, which involved some three dozen nations that form the so-called Coalition of the Willing, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the two nations would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to prevent any future incursion, while French President Emmanuel Macron later said thousands of troops may be deployed. Allies proposed that the US would assume a leading role in monitoring a truce. 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 thus far remained silent on the declaration made in the French capital. Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces now occupies about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory. The President's Evolving Stance Sir Keir described the joint statement as "an essential component of our dedication to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future". He added: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which British, French and partner forces could operate on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the years to come." Zelensky hailed that accord as a "significant leap of progress". A day later, however, he appeared less optimistic. "I perceive the determination, 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 questioned if nations in Europe would come to Ukraine's aid. "However, until we don't have such security guarantees - formally ratified, endorsed by legislatures, 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 inherent capabilities." Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict Negotiations in Paris were also notable owing to the presence of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Witkoff said the allies "largely finished" their work on agreeing security protocols. Russia continues to strike populated areas in Ukraine and vital facilities nationwide on a daily basis. Recently, the President indicated a settlement was "ninety percent complete". Territorial concessions and defense pledges 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, dismissing potential concessions over how to end the war. Zelensky has so far ruled out relinquishing any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an established line - but provided that Russia did the same. Russian forces now holds about three-quarters 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 - with a focus on power facilities. Russia has also made incremental advances in seizing additional Ukrainian land. Ukrainian forces have retaliated at objectives inside Russia with drones, albeit with more limited success.