Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Asserts Absence of Clear Defense Guarantee from European Partners

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says European allies have not given him solid assurances that they will protect his country in the case of a future Russian attack.

"I am asking this very question to every one of our allies and I have not received a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he told reporters on midweek.

These remarks follow a day after Britain and France signed a declaration of intent on deploying troops in Ukraine if a peace deal to conclude the conflict with Moscow is agreed.

However, full security guarantees have yet to be solidified. The US, which has been leading efforts to end the invasion, was reported to have abstained from signing such a pledge at talks in Paris on the previous day.

Details of the Paris Talks

Following the negotiations in Paris, which included some 30 countries that comprise the so-called Coalition of the Willing, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the two nations would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to prevent any future incursion, while France's President Macron subsequently indicated a significant number of soldiers may be sent.

Allies proposed that the US would assume a leading role in monitoring a truce. But the key issue of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as part of the peace proposals are still being discussed.

The Russian government has not yet commented on the announcement made in the city of Paris.

President Putin initiated a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Moscow currently controls about one-fifth of Ukraine's land.

Zelensky's Shifting Tone

Sir Keir described the bilateral declaration as "a vital part of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future".

He continued: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which allied military personnel could operate on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the years to come."

Zelensky hailed that agreement as a "huge step forward".

Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he seemed more cautious.

"I see the will, the political resolve, and that the allies are prepared, and the allies are willing to give us robust economic measures, powerful defense assurances," he said when asked if nations in Europe would come to Ukraine's aid.

"But as long as we lack such security guarantees - formally ratified, endorsed by legislatures, supported by the United States Congress - this crucial issue remains unresolved. And should they materialize, you must ultimately depend primarily on your inherent capabilities."

Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict

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

One envoy stated the participating countries "largely finished" their work on finalizing security arrangements.

Last week, the President indicated a peace deal was "ninety percent complete".

Territorial concessions and defense pledges have been at the forefront of outstanding matters for diplomats.

The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukraine's military must withdraw from the entirety of the Donbas region or Moscow will take control, dismissing potential concessions over how to conclude hostilities.

Zelensky has so far ruled out relinquishing any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point - but only if Russia did the same.

Moscow now holds about 75% of the Donetsk oblast, 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 slow progress in capturing more Ukrainian territory.

Ukrainian forces have retaliated at objectives inside Russia with unmanned aerial vehicles, though with varying degrees of effectiveness.