Zelensky Asserts Absence of Definitive Defense Guarantee from Partner Nations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says European allies have failed to provide solid assurances that they will protect his country in the case of a future Russian attack.

"I continue to pose this critical question to all our partners and thus far, the answer remains elusive a definitive and straightforward response yet," he told reporters on midweek.

His comments come a day after Britain and France signed a statement of purpose on deploying troops in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement 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, reportedly did not sign such a pledge at talks in Paris on the previous day.

Details of the Paris Talks

Following the negotiations in Paris, which involved some 30 countries 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 prevent any future incursion, while France's President Macron later said thousands of troops may be sent.

Allies proposed that the US would assume a leading role in monitoring a truce. But the central sticking point of ceding land that Ukraine is being pressured to offer to Russia as part of the peace proposals are continuing to be negotiated.

Moscow has thus far remained silent on the declaration made in the French capital.

Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces now occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

Zelensky's Shifting Tone

The UK Prime Minister characterized the joint statement as "an essential component of our commitment to support Ukraine for the long-term".

He added: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which allied military personnel could operate on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the years to come."

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

A day later, however, he seemed more cautious.

"I perceive the determination, the political will, and that the partners are ready, and the partners are ready to give us robust economic measures, strong security guarantees," he said when asked if European countries would come to Ukraine's aid.

"But as long as we don't have such security guarantees - legally binding, supported by parliaments, backed by the U.S. Congress - this crucial issue cannot be answered. And should they materialize, you still have to rely primarily on your inherent capabilities."

Persistent Challenges and Fighting

The Paris talks 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.

Recently, Zelensky said a peace deal was "90% ready".

Territorial concessions and defense pledges have been at the forefront of unresolved issues 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 suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an established line - but only if Russia did the same.

Russian forces now holds about three-quarters of the Donetsk oblast, and some nearly all of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts constitute the industrial Donbas region.

Attacks have been escalating against cities in Ukraine - particularly targeting energy infrastructure. Moscow is also achieving slow progress in seizing additional Ukrainian land.

Ukraine has hit back at Russian targets with drones, albeit with more limited success.