đź”— Share this article Zelensky Asserts He Lacks Explicit Defense Guarantee from European Partners The war in Ukraine is approaching its fourth anniversary. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's partners in Europe have failed to provide concrete pledges that they will defend Ukraine in the case of a fresh offensive by Russia. "I am asking this very question to every one of our allies and I have not received a definitive and straightforward response yet," he told reporters on midweek. These remarks follow a day after Britain and France signed a declaration of intent on deploying troops in Ukraine if a peace deal to conclude the conflict with Moscow is agreed. However, comprehensive defense assurances have yet to be solidified. The US, which has been leading efforts to end the invasion, reportedly did not sign such a commitment at discussions held in the French capital on Tuesday. Details of the Paris Talks After the Paris talks, which included 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 prevent any future incursion, while French President Emmanuel Macron subsequently indicated thousands of troops may be sent. Partner nations suggested that the US 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 part of the peace proposals are continuing to be negotiated. The Russian government has not yet commented on the announcement made in the city of Paris. President Putin initiated a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Russian forces currently controls about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory. Zelensky's Shifting Tone The UK Prime Minister characterized the bilateral declaration as "an essential component of our commitment to support Ukraine for the long-term". He added: "It establishes the pathway for the juridical structure under which allied military personnel could operate on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's military for the future." Zelensky hailed that agreement as a "significant leap of progress". Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he seemed more cautious. "I perceive the determination, 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 defend Ukraine. "But as long as we lack such security guarantees - legally binding, supported by parliaments, supported by the United States Congress - this crucial issue remains unresolved. And should they materialize, you must ultimately depend primarily on your inherent capabilities." Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict Negotiations in Paris were also significant owing to the attendance of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. One envoy stated the allies "largely finished" their work on agreeing security protocols. Russia continues to strike Ukrainian cities and vital facilities nationwide on a daily basis. Last week, Zelensky said a peace deal was "90% ready". Territorial concessions and security guarantees have been at the center of unresolved issues for negotiators. The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Moscow will take control, rejecting any compromise over how to conclude hostilities. The Ukrainian President has thus far rejected ceding any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point - but provided that Russia did the same. Moscow now holds about three-quarters of the Donetsk oblast, and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts constitute the Donbas industrial heartland. It has been intensifying attacks against Ukrainian cities - particularly targeting power facilities. Russia has also made incremental advances in capturing more Ukrainian territory. Ukrainian forces have retaliated at objectives inside Russia with unmanned aerial vehicles, though with varying degrees of effectiveness.
The war in Ukraine is approaching its fourth anniversary. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's partners in Europe have failed to provide concrete pledges that they will defend Ukraine in the case of a fresh offensive by Russia. "I am asking this very question to every one of our allies and I have not received a definitive and straightforward response yet," he told reporters on midweek. These remarks follow a day after Britain and France signed a declaration of intent on deploying troops in Ukraine if a peace deal to conclude the conflict with Moscow is agreed. However, comprehensive defense assurances have yet to be solidified. The US, which has been leading efforts to end the invasion, reportedly did not sign such a commitment at discussions held in the French capital on Tuesday. Details of the Paris Talks After the Paris talks, which included 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 prevent any future incursion, while French President Emmanuel Macron subsequently indicated thousands of troops may be sent. Partner nations suggested that the US 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 part of the peace proposals are continuing to be negotiated. The Russian government has not yet commented on the announcement made in the city of Paris. President Putin initiated a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Russian forces currently controls about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory. Zelensky's Shifting Tone The UK Prime Minister characterized the bilateral declaration as "an essential component of our commitment to support Ukraine for the long-term". He added: "It establishes the pathway for the juridical structure under which allied military personnel could operate on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's military for the future." Zelensky hailed that agreement as a "significant leap of progress". Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he seemed more cautious. "I perceive the determination, 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 defend Ukraine. "But as long as we lack such security guarantees - legally binding, supported by parliaments, supported by the United States Congress - this crucial issue remains unresolved. And should they materialize, you must ultimately depend primarily on your inherent capabilities." Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict Negotiations in Paris were also significant owing to the attendance of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. One envoy stated the allies "largely finished" their work on agreeing security protocols. Russia continues to strike Ukrainian cities and vital facilities nationwide on a daily basis. Last week, Zelensky said a peace deal was "90% ready". Territorial concessions and security guarantees have been at the center of unresolved issues for negotiators. The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Moscow will take control, rejecting any compromise over how to conclude hostilities. The Ukrainian President has thus far rejected ceding any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point - but provided that Russia did the same. Moscow now holds about three-quarters of the Donetsk oblast, and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts constitute the Donbas industrial heartland. It has been intensifying attacks against Ukrainian cities - particularly targeting power facilities. Russia has also made incremental advances in capturing more Ukrainian territory. Ukrainian forces have retaliated at objectives inside Russia with unmanned aerial vehicles, though with varying degrees of effectiveness.