🔗 Share this article Zelensky Declares He Lacks Clear Security Pledge from Partner Nations The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is approaching its fourth anniversary. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him concrete pledges that they will protect his country 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 clear, unambiguous answer yet," he told reporters on midweek. His comments come a day after the UK and France inked a statement of purpose on deploying troops in Ukraine if a peace deal to end the war with Russia is reached. However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The United States, which has been leading efforts to halt the offensive, reportedly did not sign such a pledge at talks in Paris on the previous day. Outcomes from the Paris Discussions Following the negotiations in Paris, which included some 30 countries that comprise the group termed the 'Coalition of the Willing', British PM Keir Starmer said the two nations would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, while France's President Macron later said thousands of troops may be deployed. Allies proposed that the United States would take the lead 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 still being discussed. Moscow has thus far remained silent on the declaration made in the city of Paris. Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow now occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory. The President's Evolving Stance Sir Keir described the bilateral declaration as "an essential component of our dedication to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future". He continued: "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 military for the future." The Ukrainian leader praised that agreement as a "significant leap of progress". A day later, however, he seemed more cautious. "I perceive the determination, the political will, and that the partners are ready, and the allies are willing to give us robust economic measures, strong security guarantees," he said when asked if nations in Europe would defend Ukraine. "But as long as we lack such binding security pacts - formally ratified, endorsed by legislatures, backed by the U.S. Congress - this question cannot be answered. And should they materialize, you must ultimately depend primarily on your own strength." Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict The Paris talks were also notable due to the attendance of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Witkoff said the allies "mostly completed" their work on agreeing security protocols. Russia continues to strike Ukrainian cities and vital facilities nationwide on a daily basis. Recently, Zelensky said a peace deal was "90% ready". Territorial concessions and defense pledges have been at the center of outstanding matters for diplomats. Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the entirety of the Donbas region or Russia will seize it, rejecting any compromise over how to conclude hostilities. Zelensky has so far ruled out relinquishing any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an agreed point - but only if Russia did the same. Moscow currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk oblast, 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 - particularly targeting energy infrastructure. Russia has also made slow progress in capturing more Ukrainian territory. Ukrainian forces have retaliated at objectives inside Russia with drones, though with more limited success.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is approaching its fourth anniversary. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him concrete pledges that they will protect his country 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 clear, unambiguous answer yet," he told reporters on midweek. His comments come a day after the UK and France inked a statement of purpose on deploying troops in Ukraine if a peace deal to end the war with Russia is reached. However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The United States, which has been leading efforts to halt the offensive, reportedly did not sign such a pledge at talks in Paris on the previous day. Outcomes from the Paris Discussions Following the negotiations in Paris, which included some 30 countries that comprise the group termed the 'Coalition of the Willing', British PM Keir Starmer said the two nations would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, while France's President Macron later said thousands of troops may be deployed. Allies proposed that the United States would take the lead 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 still being discussed. Moscow has thus far remained silent on the declaration made in the city of Paris. Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow now occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory. The President's Evolving Stance Sir Keir described the bilateral declaration as "an essential component of our dedication to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future". He continued: "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 military for the future." The Ukrainian leader praised that agreement as a "significant leap of progress". A day later, however, he seemed more cautious. "I perceive the determination, the political will, and that the partners are ready, and the allies are willing to give us robust economic measures, strong security guarantees," he said when asked if nations in Europe would defend Ukraine. "But as long as we lack such binding security pacts - formally ratified, endorsed by legislatures, backed by the U.S. Congress - this question cannot be answered. And should they materialize, you must ultimately depend primarily on your own strength." Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict The Paris talks were also notable due to the attendance of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Witkoff said the allies "mostly completed" their work on agreeing security protocols. Russia continues to strike Ukrainian cities and vital facilities nationwide on a daily basis. Recently, Zelensky said a peace deal was "90% ready". Territorial concessions and defense pledges have been at the center of outstanding matters for diplomats. Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the entirety of the Donbas region or Russia will seize it, rejecting any compromise over how to conclude hostilities. Zelensky has so far ruled out relinquishing any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an agreed point - but only if Russia did the same. Moscow currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk oblast, 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 - particularly targeting energy infrastructure. Russia has also made slow progress in capturing more Ukrainian territory. Ukrainian forces have retaliated at objectives inside Russia with drones, though with more limited success.