🔗 Share this article Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Declares Absence of 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 failed to provide solid assurances that they will protect his country in the event of a new Russian aggression. "I continue to pose this critical question to all our partners and I have not received a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he told reporters on midweek. His comments come a day after Britain and France signed a statement of purpose on stationing forces in Ukraine if a peace deal to end the war with Russia is agreed. However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The US, which has been leading efforts to end the invasion, was reported to have abstained from signing 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 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 deter future invasion, while French President Emmanuel Macron later said thousands of troops may be deployed. Partner nations suggested that the US 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 not yet commented on the declaration made in the French capital. President Putin launched a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces currently controls about 20% of Ukraine's land. Zelensky's Shifting Tone Sir Keir described the joint statement as "a vital part of our commitment to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future". He continued: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French and partner forces could operate on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the future." The Ukrainian leader praised that accord as a "huge step forward". Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he seemed more cautious. "I perceive the determination, the political resolve, and that the allies are prepared, and the partners are ready to give us strong sanctions, strong security guarantees," he said when questioned if nations in Europe would defend Ukraine. "However, until we don't have such security guarantees - legally binding, supported by parliaments, supported by the United States Congress - this crucial issue cannot be answered. And even if they do, you must ultimately depend primarily 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, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. One envoy stated the participating countries "mostly completed" their work on agreeing security protocols. Russian forces persistently attack populated areas in Ukraine and vital facilities across the country on a regular basis. Recently, the President indicated a settlement was "ninety percent complete". Questions of land and security guarantees have been at the center of unresolved issues for negotiators. The Russian leader has consistently stated 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 ceding any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point - but only if Russia did the same. Moscow now holds about three-quarters of the Donetsk region, and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions form the Donbas industrial heartland. Attacks have been escalating against Ukrainian cities - with a focus on power facilities. Russia has also made incremental advances in seizing additional Ukrainian land. Ukraine has hit back at Russian targets with unmanned aerial vehicles, 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 failed to provide solid assurances that they will protect his country in the event of a new Russian aggression. "I continue to pose this critical question to all our partners and I have not received a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he told reporters on midweek. His comments come a day after Britain and France signed a statement of purpose on stationing forces in Ukraine if a peace deal to end the war with Russia is agreed. However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The US, which has been leading efforts to end the invasion, was reported to have abstained from signing 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 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 deter future invasion, while French President Emmanuel Macron later said thousands of troops may be deployed. Partner nations suggested that the US 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 not yet commented on the declaration made in the French capital. President Putin launched a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces currently controls about 20% of Ukraine's land. Zelensky's Shifting Tone Sir Keir described the joint statement as "a vital part of our commitment to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future". He continued: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French and partner forces could operate on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the future." The Ukrainian leader praised that accord as a "huge step forward". Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he seemed more cautious. "I perceive the determination, the political resolve, and that the allies are prepared, and the partners are ready to give us strong sanctions, strong security guarantees," he said when questioned if nations in Europe would defend Ukraine. "However, until we don't have such security guarantees - legally binding, supported by parliaments, supported by the United States Congress - this crucial issue cannot be answered. And even if they do, you must ultimately depend primarily 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, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. One envoy stated the participating countries "mostly completed" their work on agreeing security protocols. Russian forces persistently attack populated areas in Ukraine and vital facilities across the country on a regular basis. Recently, the President indicated a settlement was "ninety percent complete". Questions of land and security guarantees have been at the center of unresolved issues for negotiators. The Russian leader has consistently stated 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 ceding any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point - but only if Russia did the same. Moscow now holds about three-quarters of the Donetsk region, and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions form the Donbas industrial heartland. Attacks have been escalating against Ukrainian cities - with a focus on power facilities. Russia has also made incremental advances in seizing additional Ukrainian land. Ukraine has hit back at Russian targets with unmanned aerial vehicles, though with more limited success.