🔗 Share this article Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky States Absence of Explicit Security Pledge from Allies The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is nearing its third year mark. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him concrete pledges that they will defend Ukraine in the event of a future Russian attack. "I am asking this very question to all our partners and thus far, the answer remains elusive a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he stated to the press on Wednesday. These remarks follow a day after Britain and France inked a statement of purpose on stationing forces in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to conclude the conflict with Moscow is finalized. However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The United States, which has been spearheading initiatives to end the invasion, reportedly did not sign such a commitment at discussions held in the French capital on Tuesday. Outcomes from the Paris Discussions Following the negotiations in Paris, which included some 30 countries that comprise the so-called 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 France's President Macron later said thousands of troops may be deployed. 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 a component of the settlement terms are continuing to be negotiated. The Russian government has thus far remained silent on the declaration made in the French capital. President Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow now occupies about 20% of Ukraine's land. Zelensky's Shifting Tone Sir Keir described the joint statement as "a vital part of our dedication to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future". He continued: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which allied military personnel could operate on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the years to come." Zelensky hailed that agreement as a "huge step forward". Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he appeared less optimistic. "I perceive the determination, the political resolve, and that the allies are prepared, and the allies are willing to give us strong sanctions, powerful defense assurances," he said when asked if European countries would come to Ukraine's aid. "However, until we don't have such binding security pacts - formally ratified, supported by parliaments, supported by the United States Congress - this question cannot be answered. And even if they do, you must ultimately depend first and foremost on your inherent capabilities." Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict Negotiations in Paris were also notable owing to the presence of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. One envoy stated the participating countries "largely finished" their work on finalizing security arrangements. Russia continues to strike Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure nationwide on a regular basis. Recently, 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 withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Moscow will take control, 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 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 neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions form the Donbas industrial heartland. It has been intensifying attacks against cities in Ukraine - with a focus on power facilities. Moscow is also achieving incremental advances in capturing more Ukrainian territory. Ukraine has hit back at objectives inside Russia with unmanned aerial vehicles, albeit with more limited success.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is nearing its third year mark. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him concrete pledges that they will defend Ukraine in the event of a future Russian attack. "I am asking this very question to all our partners and thus far, the answer remains elusive a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he stated to the press on Wednesday. These remarks follow a day after Britain and France inked a statement of purpose on stationing forces in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to conclude the conflict with Moscow is finalized. However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The United States, which has been spearheading initiatives to end the invasion, reportedly did not sign such a commitment at discussions held in the French capital on Tuesday. Outcomes from the Paris Discussions Following the negotiations in Paris, which included some 30 countries that comprise the so-called 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 France's President Macron later said thousands of troops may be deployed. 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 a component of the settlement terms are continuing to be negotiated. The Russian government has thus far remained silent on the declaration made in the French capital. President Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow now occupies about 20% of Ukraine's land. Zelensky's Shifting Tone Sir Keir described the joint statement as "a vital part of our dedication to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future". He continued: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which allied military personnel could operate on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the years to come." Zelensky hailed that agreement as a "huge step forward". Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he appeared less optimistic. "I perceive the determination, the political resolve, and that the allies are prepared, and the allies are willing to give us strong sanctions, powerful defense assurances," he said when asked if European countries would come to Ukraine's aid. "However, until we don't have such binding security pacts - formally ratified, supported by parliaments, supported by the United States Congress - this question cannot be answered. And even if they do, you must ultimately depend first and foremost on your inherent capabilities." Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict Negotiations in Paris were also notable owing to the presence of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. One envoy stated the participating countries "largely finished" their work on finalizing security arrangements. Russia continues to strike Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure nationwide on a regular basis. Recently, 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 withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Moscow will take control, 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 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 neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions form the Donbas industrial heartland. It has been intensifying attacks against cities in Ukraine - with a focus on power facilities. Moscow is also achieving incremental advances in capturing more Ukrainian territory. Ukraine has hit back at objectives inside Russia with unmanned aerial vehicles, albeit with more limited success.