🔗 Share this article Zelensky States He Lacks Definitive Security Pledge from Partner Nations The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is nearing its fourth anniversary. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's partners in Europe have failed to provide sound guarantees that they will protect his country in the case of a new Russian aggression. "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. These remarks follow a day after the UK and France inked a statement of purpose on deploying troops in Ukraine if a peace deal to conclude the conflict with Moscow 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 pledge at discussions held in the French capital on the previous day. Details of the Paris Talks After the Paris talks, which included some 30 countries that comprise the so-called Coalition of the Willing, British PM Keir Starmer said the UK and France would "set up operational bases across Ukraine" to prevent any future incursion, while French President Emmanuel Macron later said a significant number of soldiers may be sent. Partner nations suggested that the US would take the lead in overseeing any ceasefire. But the key issue of ceding land that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as part of the peace proposals are continuing to be negotiated. Moscow has not yet commented on the declaration made in the city of Paris. Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces currently controls about 20% of Ukraine's land. 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 added: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French and partner forces could operate on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the years to come." The Ukrainian leader praised that agreement as a "huge step forward". A day later, however, he seemed more cautious. "I see the will, the political resolve, and that the allies are prepared, and the partners are ready to give us robust economic measures, strong security guarantees," he said when questioned if nations in Europe would come to Ukraine's aid. "However, until we don't have such binding security pacts - formally ratified, supported by parliaments, supported by the United States Congress - this question cannot be answered. And should they materialize, you must ultimately depend first and foremost on your own strength." Persistent Challenges and Fighting Negotiations in Paris were also notable due to the attendance of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. Witkoff said the allies "largely finished" their work on agreeing security protocols. Russia continues to strike Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure nationwide on a regular basis. Recently, the President indicated a peace deal was "90% ready". Questions of land and security guarantees have been at the forefront 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, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war. 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 reciprocated the action. Moscow now holds about three-quarters of the Donetsk region, and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The two regions form the industrial Donbas region. It has been intensifying attacks against Ukrainian cities - particularly targeting energy infrastructure. Moscow is also achieving incremental advances in capturing more Ukrainian territory. Ukraine has hit back at objectives inside Russia with drones, albeit with more limited success.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is nearing its fourth anniversary. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's partners in Europe have failed to provide sound guarantees that they will protect his country in the case of a new Russian aggression. "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. These remarks follow a day after the UK and France inked a statement of purpose on deploying troops in Ukraine if a peace deal to conclude the conflict with Moscow 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 pledge at discussions held in the French capital on the previous day. Details of the Paris Talks After the Paris talks, which included some 30 countries that comprise the so-called Coalition of the Willing, British PM Keir Starmer said the UK and France would "set up operational bases across Ukraine" to prevent any future incursion, while French President Emmanuel Macron later said a significant number of soldiers may be sent. Partner nations suggested that the US would take the lead in overseeing any ceasefire. But the key issue of ceding land that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as part of the peace proposals are continuing to be negotiated. Moscow has not yet commented on the declaration made in the city of Paris. Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces currently controls about 20% of Ukraine's land. 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 added: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French and partner forces could operate on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the years to come." The Ukrainian leader praised that agreement as a "huge step forward". A day later, however, he seemed more cautious. "I see the will, the political resolve, and that the allies are prepared, and the partners are ready to give us robust economic measures, strong security guarantees," he said when questioned if nations in Europe would come to Ukraine's aid. "However, until we don't have such binding security pacts - formally ratified, supported by parliaments, supported by the United States Congress - this question cannot be answered. And should they materialize, you must ultimately depend first and foremost on your own strength." Persistent Challenges and Fighting Negotiations in Paris were also notable due to the attendance of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. Witkoff said the allies "largely finished" their work on agreeing security protocols. Russia continues to strike Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure nationwide on a regular basis. Recently, the President indicated a peace deal was "90% ready". Questions of land and security guarantees have been at the forefront 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, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war. 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 reciprocated the action. Moscow now holds about three-quarters of the Donetsk region, and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The two regions form the industrial Donbas region. It has been intensifying attacks against Ukrainian cities - particularly targeting energy infrastructure. Moscow is also achieving incremental advances in capturing more Ukrainian territory. Ukraine has hit back at objectives inside Russia with drones, albeit with more limited success.