Zelensky Declares He Lacks Definitive Defense Guarantee from Partner Nations

President Zelensky has stated that European allies have failed to provide sound guarantees that they will defend Ukraine in the event of a new Russian aggression.

"I am asking this very question to every one of our allies and thus far, the answer remains elusive a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he told reporters on Wednesday.

These remarks follow a day after Britain and France inked a statement of purpose on deploying troops in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to end the war with Russia is agreed.

However, full security guarantees have yet to be solidified. The United States, which has been leading efforts to halt the offensive, reportedly did not sign such a commitment at talks in Paris on Tuesday.

Details of the Paris Talks

Following the negotiations in Paris, which included some three dozen nations that form the group termed the '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 French President Emmanuel Macron later said a significant number of soldiers may be deployed.

Allies proposed that the United States 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 part of the peace proposals are continuing to be negotiated.

The Russian government has not yet commented on the declaration made in the French capital.

President Putin initiated a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Russian forces currently controls about 20% of Ukraine's land.

Zelensky's Shifting Tone

Sir Keir described the bilateral declaration as "a vital part of our dedication to stand with Ukraine for the long-term".

He added: "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 rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the future."

Zelensky hailed that agreement as a "significant leap of progress".

A day later, however, he seemed more cautious.

"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 asked if European countries would defend Ukraine.

"But as long as 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 first and foremost on your own strength."

Persistent Challenges and Fighting

Negotiations in Paris were also significant owing to the presence of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Witkoff said the participating countries "mostly completed" their work on agreeing security protocols.

Last week, Zelensky said a settlement was "90% ready".

Territorial concessions and security guarantees 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 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 redeploy its forces to an established line - but only if Russia reciprocated the action.

Moscow currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region, and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions constitute the industrial Donbas region.

Attacks have been escalating against cities in Ukraine - with a focus on energy infrastructure. Moscow is also achieving slow progress in seizing additional Ukrainian land.

Ukraine has hit back at Russian targets with unmanned aerial vehicles, albeit with more limited success.