🔗 Share this article Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Declares He Lacks Clear Defense Guarantee from Partner Nations The war in Ukraine is nearing its fourth anniversary. President Zelensky has stated that European allies have failed to provide sound guarantees that they will defend Ukraine in the event of a fresh offensive by Russia. "I am asking this very question to all our partners and I have not received a definitive and straightforward response yet," he stated to the press on Wednesday. His comments come a day after Britain and France inked a declaration of intent 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 end the invasion, was reported to have abstained from signing such a commitment at talks in Paris on Tuesday. Details of the Paris Talks After the Paris talks, which included some 30 countries that form the so-called Coalition of the Willing, UK Prime Minister Sir 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 sent. Partner nations suggested that the US would assume a leading role in monitoring a truce. But the central sticking point of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being pressured to offer to Russia as a component of the settlement terms are continuing to be negotiated. Moscow has thus far remained silent on the announcement made in the French capital. President Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces now occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory. The President's Evolving Stance Sir Keir described the bilateral declaration as "a vital part of our commitment to support Ukraine for the long-term". He continued: "It establishes the pathway for the legal framework under which allied military personnel could operate on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and regenerating 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, strong security guarantees," he said when questioned if nations in Europe would come to Ukraine's aid. "However, until we lack such security guarantees - formally ratified, endorsed by legislatures, supported by the United States Congress - this question cannot be answered. And should they materialize, you must ultimately depend primarily on your inherent capabilities." Persistent Challenges and Fighting The Paris talks were also notable owing to the presence of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Witkoff said the participating countries "largely finished" their work on agreeing security protocols. Russian forces persistently attack Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure across the country on a daily basis. Recently, Zelensky said a peace deal was "ninety percent complete". Territorial concessions and defense pledges have been at the center of outstanding matters for diplomats. Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Moscow will take control, dismissing potential concessions over how to end the war. The Ukrainian President has thus far rejected ceding any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an established line - but only if Russia did the same. Russian forces currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk oblast, and some nearly all of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions constitute the Donbas industrial heartland. It has been intensifying attacks against cities in Ukraine - with a focus on energy infrastructure. Russia has also made slow progress in capturing more Ukrainian territory. Ukrainian forces have retaliated at Russian targets with drones, though with more limited success.
The war in Ukraine is nearing its fourth anniversary. President Zelensky has stated that European allies have failed to provide sound guarantees that they will defend Ukraine in the event of a fresh offensive by Russia. "I am asking this very question to all our partners and I have not received a definitive and straightforward response yet," he stated to the press on Wednesday. His comments come a day after Britain and France inked a declaration of intent 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 end the invasion, was reported to have abstained from signing such a commitment at talks in Paris on Tuesday. Details of the Paris Talks After the Paris talks, which included some 30 countries that form the so-called Coalition of the Willing, UK Prime Minister Sir 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 sent. Partner nations suggested that the US would assume a leading role in monitoring a truce. But the central sticking point of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being pressured to offer to Russia as a component of the settlement terms are continuing to be negotiated. Moscow has thus far remained silent on the announcement made in the French capital. President Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces now occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory. The President's Evolving Stance Sir Keir described the bilateral declaration as "a vital part of our commitment to support Ukraine for the long-term". He continued: "It establishes the pathway for the legal framework under which allied military personnel could operate on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and regenerating 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, strong security guarantees," he said when questioned if nations in Europe would come to Ukraine's aid. "However, until we lack such security guarantees - formally ratified, endorsed by legislatures, supported by the United States Congress - this question cannot be answered. And should they materialize, you must ultimately depend primarily on your inherent capabilities." Persistent Challenges and Fighting The Paris talks were also notable owing to the presence of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Witkoff said the participating countries "largely finished" their work on agreeing security protocols. Russian forces persistently attack Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure across the country on a daily basis. Recently, Zelensky said a peace deal was "ninety percent complete". Territorial concessions and defense pledges have been at the center of outstanding matters for diplomats. Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Moscow will take control, dismissing potential concessions over how to end the war. The Ukrainian President has thus far rejected ceding any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an established line - but only if Russia did the same. Russian forces currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk oblast, and some nearly all of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions constitute the Donbas industrial heartland. It has been intensifying attacks against cities in Ukraine - with a focus on energy infrastructure. Russia has also made slow progress in capturing more Ukrainian territory. Ukrainian forces have retaliated at Russian targets with drones, though with more limited success.