🔗 Share this article Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Declares He Lacks Explicit Security Pledge from European Partners The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is approaching its fourth anniversary. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says European allies have failed to provide sound guarantees that they will protect his country in the case of a future Russian attack. "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 deploying troops in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to end the war with Russia is reached. However, full security guarantees have yet to be solidified. The US, which has been leading efforts to end the invasion, was reported to have abstained from signing such a pledge at talks in Paris on Tuesday. Details of the Paris Talks After the Paris talks, which involved some three dozen nations that comprise the group termed the 'Coalition of the Willing', UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the UK and France would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, while French President Emmanuel Macron later said a significant number of soldiers may be deployed. Partner nations suggested 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 announcement made in the city of Paris. President Putin launched 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 joint statement as "a vital part of our commitment 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 function on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the future." Zelensky hailed that agreement as a "huge step forward". A day later, however, he appeared less optimistic. "I perceive the determination, the political resolve, and that the allies are prepared, and the partners are ready to give us strong sanctions, strong security guarantees," he said when asked if European countries would come to Ukraine's aid. "But as long as we lack such security guarantees - legally binding, endorsed by legislatures, supported by the United States Congress - this crucial issue cannot be answered. And should they materialize, you still have to rely primarily on your own strength." Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict Negotiations in Paris were also significant owing to the presence of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. Witkoff said the participating countries "largely finished" their work on finalizing security arrangements. Russia continues to strike populated areas in Ukraine and critical infrastructure nationwide on a regular basis. Last week, Zelensky said a peace deal was "ninety percent complete". Territorial concessions and security guarantees have been at the center of outstanding matters 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. Zelensky has so far ruled out relinquishing any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point - but only if Russia reciprocated the action. Russian forces currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk oblast, and some nearly all of the adjacent Luhansk region. The two regions form the industrial Donbas region. Attacks have been escalating 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, albeit with more limited success.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is approaching its fourth anniversary. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says European allies have failed to provide sound guarantees that they will protect his country in the case of a future Russian attack. "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 deploying troops in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to end the war with Russia is reached. However, full security guarantees have yet to be solidified. The US, which has been leading efforts to end the invasion, was reported to have abstained from signing such a pledge at talks in Paris on Tuesday. Details of the Paris Talks After the Paris talks, which involved some three dozen nations that comprise the group termed the 'Coalition of the Willing', UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the UK and France would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, while French President Emmanuel Macron later said a significant number of soldiers may be deployed. Partner nations suggested 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 announcement made in the city of Paris. President Putin launched 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 joint statement as "a vital part of our commitment 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 function on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the future." Zelensky hailed that agreement as a "huge step forward". A day later, however, he appeared less optimistic. "I perceive the determination, the political resolve, and that the allies are prepared, and the partners are ready to give us strong sanctions, strong security guarantees," he said when asked if European countries would come to Ukraine's aid. "But as long as we lack such security guarantees - legally binding, endorsed by legislatures, supported by the United States Congress - this crucial issue cannot be answered. And should they materialize, you still have to rely primarily on your own strength." Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict Negotiations in Paris were also significant owing to the presence of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. Witkoff said the participating countries "largely finished" their work on finalizing security arrangements. Russia continues to strike populated areas in Ukraine and critical infrastructure nationwide on a regular basis. Last week, Zelensky said a peace deal was "ninety percent complete". Territorial concessions and security guarantees have been at the center of outstanding matters 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. Zelensky has so far ruled out relinquishing any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point - but only if Russia reciprocated the action. Russian forces currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk oblast, and some nearly all of the adjacent Luhansk region. The two regions form the industrial Donbas region. Attacks have been escalating 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, albeit with more limited success.