Zelenskyy says Ukraine lacks clear security commitment from allies

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said European allies had not given him strong guarantees that his country would be protected in the event of a new Russian deal.

“I ask this question to all our partners and I have not yet received a clear and unambiguous answer,” he told reporters on Wednesday.

His comments come a day after the UK and France signed a declaration of intent on deploying troops to Ukraine if a peace deal ending the war with Russia is reached.

But comprehensive security guarantees have not been agreed. The United States, which is leading efforts to end the invasion, reportedly did not sign such a pledge during negotiations in Paris on Tuesday.

After the Paris talks, which brought together around 30 countries forming the so-called Coalition of the Willing, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the UK and France would “establish military centers across Ukraine” to deter a future invasion, while French President Emmanuel Macron later said thousands of troops could be deployed.

The Allies proposed that the United States take the lead in monitoring a truce. But the key issue of territorial concessions that Ukraine is asked to grant to Russia as part of the peace proposals is still under discussion.

Moscow has not yet commented on the announcement made in the French capital.

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow currently controls around 20% of Ukraine’s territory.

Sir Keir described the joint statement as “a vital part of our commitment to standing with Ukraine for the long term”.

He added: “This paves the way for the legal framework within which British, French and partner forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine’s skies and seas and regenerating Ukraine’s armed forces for the future. »

Zelensky hailed the deal as a “huge step forward.”

But a day later, he seemed less optimistic.

“I see the will, the political will, and that the partners are ready, and the partners are ready to give us strong sanctions, strong security guarantees,” he said when asked if European countries would defend Ukraine.

“But until we have such security guarantees – legally binding, supported by parliaments, supported by the US Congress – this question will not be answered. And even if they are, you will always have to rely first and foremost on your own forces.”

The Paris negotiations were also marked by the presence of US President Donald Trump’s peace envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Witkoff said the allies had “largely completed” their work to reach an agreement on security protocols.

Last week, Zelensky says peace deal ‘90% ready’.

Territorial concessions and security guarantees were at the forefront of unresolved issues for negotiators.

Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Eastern Donbass, otherwise Russia will seize it, rejecting any compromise on how to end the war.

Zelensky has so far ruled out any territorial ceding, but suggested Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point – but only if Russia did the same.

Moscow currently controls around 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the neighboring Luhansk region. The two regions form the Donbass industrial region.

It has intensified its attacks on Ukrainian cities, particularly targeting energy infrastructure. Russia has also made slow progress in conquering more Ukrainian territory.

Ukraine has retaliated against Russian targets with drones, but with more limited success.