đź”— Share this article Zelensky Declares Absence of Definitive Security Pledge from European Partners The war in Ukraine is approaching its third year mark. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's partners in Europe have failed to provide concrete pledges that they will defend Ukraine 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 clear, unambiguous answer yet," he told reporters on midweek. His comments come a day after the UK and France signed a statement of purpose on deploying troops in Ukraine if a peace deal to end the war with Russia is finalized. However, comprehensive defense assurances have not been agreed. The US, which has been leading efforts to end the invasion, was reported to have abstained from signing such a pledge at discussions held in the French capital on the previous day. Outcomes from the Paris Discussions Following the negotiations in Paris, 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 "set up operational bases across Ukraine" to prevent any future incursion, while French President Emmanuel Macron subsequently indicated thousands of troops may be deployed. Partner nations suggested that the US would take the lead in monitoring a truce. But the central sticking point of ceding land that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as a component of the settlement terms are still being discussed. Moscow has not yet commented on the declaration made in the French capital. President Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces currently controls about one-fifth of Ukraine's land. Zelensky's Shifting Tone The UK Prime Minister characterized 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 legal framework under which British, French and partner forces could function on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the future." The Ukrainian leader praised that agreement as a "significant leap of progress". Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he appeared less optimistic. "I perceive the determination, the political will, and that the partners are ready, and the partners are ready to give us robust economic measures, strong security guarantees," he said when asked if European countries would come to Ukraine's aid. "However, until we lack such binding security pacts - legally binding, endorsed by legislatures, backed by the U.S. Congress - this crucial issue cannot be answered. And should they materialize, you still have to rely primarily on your inherent capabilities." Persistent Challenges and Fighting Negotiations in Paris were also significant due to the attendance of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. Witkoff said the allies "largely finished" their work on finalizing security arrangements. Russia continues to strike Ukrainian cities and vital facilities nationwide on a daily basis. Last week, the President indicated a peace deal was "ninety percent complete". Territorial concessions and security guarantees have been at the center of outstanding matters for negotiators. The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops 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 ceding any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an established line - but provided that Russia did the same. Russian forces currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region, and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions constitute the Donbas industrial heartland. Attacks have been escalating against cities in Ukraine - with a focus on energy infrastructure. Russia has also made slow progress in seizing additional Ukrainian land. Ukraine has hit back at objectives inside Russia with drones, albeit with varying degrees of effectiveness.
The war in Ukraine is approaching its third year mark. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's partners in Europe have failed to provide concrete pledges that they will defend Ukraine 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 clear, unambiguous answer yet," he told reporters on midweek. His comments come a day after the UK and France signed a statement of purpose on deploying troops in Ukraine if a peace deal to end the war with Russia is finalized. However, comprehensive defense assurances have not been agreed. The US, which has been leading efforts to end the invasion, was reported to have abstained from signing such a pledge at discussions held in the French capital on the previous day. Outcomes from the Paris Discussions Following the negotiations in Paris, 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 "set up operational bases across Ukraine" to prevent any future incursion, while French President Emmanuel Macron subsequently indicated thousands of troops may be deployed. Partner nations suggested that the US would take the lead in monitoring a truce. But the central sticking point of ceding land that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as a component of the settlement terms are still being discussed. Moscow has not yet commented on the declaration made in the French capital. President Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces currently controls about one-fifth of Ukraine's land. Zelensky's Shifting Tone The UK Prime Minister characterized 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 legal framework under which British, French and partner forces could function on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the future." The Ukrainian leader praised that agreement as a "significant leap of progress". Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he appeared less optimistic. "I perceive the determination, the political will, and that the partners are ready, and the partners are ready to give us robust economic measures, strong security guarantees," he said when asked if European countries would come to Ukraine's aid. "However, until we lack such binding security pacts - legally binding, endorsed by legislatures, backed by the U.S. Congress - this crucial issue cannot be answered. And should they materialize, you still have to rely primarily on your inherent capabilities." Persistent Challenges and Fighting Negotiations in Paris were also significant due to the attendance of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. Witkoff said the allies "largely finished" their work on finalizing security arrangements. Russia continues to strike Ukrainian cities and vital facilities nationwide on a daily basis. Last week, the President indicated a peace deal was "ninety percent complete". Territorial concessions and security guarantees have been at the center of outstanding matters for negotiators. The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops 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 ceding any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an established line - but provided that Russia did the same. Russian forces currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region, and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions constitute the Donbas industrial heartland. Attacks have been escalating against cities in Ukraine - with a focus on energy infrastructure. Russia has also made slow progress in seizing additional Ukrainian land. Ukraine has hit back at objectives inside Russia with drones, albeit with varying degrees of effectiveness.