🔗 Share this article Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Asserts He Lacks Definitive Security Pledge from European Partners The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is approaching its fourth anniversary. President Zelensky has stated that European allies have not given him solid assurances 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 thus far, the answer remains elusive a definitive and straightforward response yet," he told reporters on Wednesday. These remarks follow a day after Britain and France inked a declaration of intent on deploying troops in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to conclude the conflict with Moscow is agreed. However, comprehensive defense assurances have not been agreed. The US, which has been leading efforts to halt the offensive, reportedly did not sign such a pledge at discussions held in the French capital on the previous day. Details of the Paris Talks Following the negotiations in Paris, which involved some 30 countries that comprise the so-called 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 a significant number of soldiers may be sent. Partner nations suggested that the US would take the lead in overseeing any ceasefire. But the key issue of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being pressured to offer to Russia as part of the peace proposals are still being discussed. The Russian government has not yet commented on the declaration made in the city of Paris. Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Moscow now occupies about 20% of Ukraine's land. Zelensky's Shifting Tone The UK Prime Minister characterized the bilateral declaration as "a vital part of our dedication to support Ukraine for the long-term". He continued: "It paves the way for the juridical structure 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 "huge step forward". A day later, however, he appeared less optimistic. "I see the will, the political resolve, and that the allies are prepared, and the allies are willing to give us strong sanctions, strong security guarantees," he said when asked if European countries would come to Ukraine's aid. "However, until we don't have such binding security pacts - legally binding, supported by parliaments, backed by the U.S. Congress - this crucial issue remains unresolved. And even if they do, you still have to rely primarily on your own strength." Persistent Challenges and Fighting The Paris talks were also notable due to the attendance of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Witkoff said the participating countries "mostly completed" their work on finalizing security arrangements. Russian forces persistently attack Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure across the country on a daily basis. Recently, Zelensky said a peace deal was "ninety percent complete". Territorial concessions and defense pledges have been at the center of outstanding matters for negotiators. The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Moscow will take control, 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 established line - but only if Russia did the same. Moscow now holds about three-quarters of the Donetsk oblast, and some nearly all of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions form the Donbas industrial heartland. Attacks have been escalating against Ukrainian cities - with a focus on energy infrastructure. Moscow is also achieving slow progress in seizing additional Ukrainian land. Ukraine has hit back at objectives inside Russia with unmanned aerial vehicles, 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 solid assurances 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 thus far, the answer remains elusive a definitive and straightforward response yet," he told reporters on Wednesday. These remarks follow a day after Britain and France inked a declaration of intent on deploying troops in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to conclude the conflict with Moscow is agreed. However, comprehensive defense assurances have not been agreed. The US, which has been leading efforts to halt the offensive, reportedly did not sign such a pledge at discussions held in the French capital on the previous day. Details of the Paris Talks Following the negotiations in Paris, which involved some 30 countries that comprise the so-called 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 a significant number of soldiers may be sent. Partner nations suggested that the US would take the lead in overseeing any ceasefire. But the key issue of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being pressured to offer to Russia as part of the peace proposals are still being discussed. The Russian government has not yet commented on the declaration made in the city of Paris. Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Moscow now occupies about 20% of Ukraine's land. Zelensky's Shifting Tone The UK Prime Minister characterized the bilateral declaration as "a vital part of our dedication to support Ukraine for the long-term". He continued: "It paves the way for the juridical structure 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 "huge step forward". A day later, however, he appeared less optimistic. "I see the will, the political resolve, and that the allies are prepared, and the allies are willing to give us strong sanctions, strong security guarantees," he said when asked if European countries would come to Ukraine's aid. "However, until we don't have such binding security pacts - legally binding, supported by parliaments, backed by the U.S. Congress - this crucial issue remains unresolved. And even if they do, you still have to rely primarily on your own strength." Persistent Challenges and Fighting The Paris talks were also notable due to the attendance of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Witkoff said the participating countries "mostly completed" their work on finalizing security arrangements. Russian forces persistently attack Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure across the country on a daily basis. Recently, Zelensky said a peace deal was "ninety percent complete". Territorial concessions and defense pledges have been at the center of outstanding matters for negotiators. The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Moscow will take control, 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 established line - but only if Russia did the same. Moscow now holds about three-quarters of the Donetsk oblast, and some nearly all of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions form the Donbas industrial heartland. Attacks have been escalating against Ukrainian cities - with a focus on energy infrastructure. Moscow is also achieving slow progress in seizing additional Ukrainian land. Ukraine has hit back at objectives inside Russia with unmanned aerial vehicles, albeit with more limited success.