🔗 Share this article Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Asserts Absence of Explicit Defense Guarantee from European Partners 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 event of a new Russian aggression. "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 the UK and France signed a statement of purpose on stationing forces in Ukraine if a peace deal to conclude the conflict with Moscow is finalized. However, comprehensive defense assurances have not been agreed. The United States, which has been spearheading initiatives to end the invasion, was reported to have abstained from signing such a commitment at talks in Paris on Tuesday. Details of the Paris Talks Following the negotiations in Paris, which involved some three dozen nations that form 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 prevent any future incursion, while France's President Macron later said thousands of troops may be sent. Partner nations suggested that the US would assume a leading role in overseeing any ceasefire. But the key issue of ceding land that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as a component of the settlement terms are continuing to be negotiated. The Russian government has thus far remained silent on the announcement made in the city of Paris. President Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow currently controls about one-fifth of Ukraine's land. The President's Evolving Stance Sir Keir described the bilateral declaration as "an essential component of our commitment to support Ukraine for the long-term". He continued: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which allied military personnel could operate on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the years to come." Zelensky hailed that agreement as a "huge step forward". Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he seemed more cautious. "I see the will, the political resolve, and that the partners are ready, and the allies are willing to give us robust economic measures, powerful defense assurances," he said when asked if European countries would defend Ukraine. "However, until we don't have such security guarantees - formally ratified, supported by parliaments, backed by the U.S. Congress - this question remains unresolved. And even if they do, you must ultimately depend first and foremost on your inherent capabilities." Persistent Challenges and Fighting Negotiations in Paris were also significant due to the presence 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. Russian forces persistently attack populated areas in Ukraine and critical infrastructure across the country on a daily basis. Recently, the President indicated a settlement was "90% ready". Questions of land and security guarantees have been at the center of unresolved issues for negotiators. Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, dismissing potential concessions over how to end the war. Zelensky has so far ruled out relinquishing any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point - but provided that Russia did the same. Moscow currently controls about three-quarters of the Donetsk region, and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The two regions form the Donbas industrial heartland. Attacks have been escalating against Ukrainian cities - particularly targeting power facilities. Moscow is also achieving slow progress in seizing additional Ukrainian land. Ukraine has hit back at Russian targets with drones, albeit with varying degrees of effectiveness.
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 event of a new Russian aggression. "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 the UK and France signed a statement of purpose on stationing forces in Ukraine if a peace deal to conclude the conflict with Moscow is finalized. However, comprehensive defense assurances have not been agreed. The United States, which has been spearheading initiatives to end the invasion, was reported to have abstained from signing such a commitment at talks in Paris on Tuesday. Details of the Paris Talks Following the negotiations in Paris, which involved some three dozen nations that form 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 prevent any future incursion, while France's President Macron later said thousands of troops may be sent. Partner nations suggested that the US would assume a leading role in overseeing any ceasefire. But the key issue of ceding land that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as a component of the settlement terms are continuing to be negotiated. The Russian government has thus far remained silent on the announcement made in the city of Paris. President Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow currently controls about one-fifth of Ukraine's land. The President's Evolving Stance Sir Keir described the bilateral declaration as "an essential component of our commitment to support Ukraine for the long-term". He continued: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which allied military personnel could operate on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the years to come." Zelensky hailed that agreement as a "huge step forward". Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he seemed more cautious. "I see the will, the political resolve, and that the partners are ready, and the allies are willing to give us robust economic measures, powerful defense assurances," he said when asked if European countries would defend Ukraine. "However, until we don't have such security guarantees - formally ratified, supported by parliaments, backed by the U.S. Congress - this question remains unresolved. And even if they do, you must ultimately depend first and foremost on your inherent capabilities." Persistent Challenges and Fighting Negotiations in Paris were also significant due to the presence 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. Russian forces persistently attack populated areas in Ukraine and critical infrastructure across the country on a daily basis. Recently, the President indicated a settlement was "90% ready". Questions of land and security guarantees have been at the center of unresolved issues for negotiators. Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, dismissing potential concessions over how to end the war. Zelensky has so far ruled out relinquishing any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point - but provided that Russia did the same. Moscow currently controls about three-quarters of the Donetsk region, and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The two regions form the Donbas industrial heartland. Attacks have been escalating against Ukrainian cities - particularly targeting power facilities. Moscow is also achieving slow progress in seizing additional Ukrainian land. Ukraine has hit back at Russian targets with drones, albeit with varying degrees of effectiveness.