Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Declares Absence of Definitive Defense Guarantee from European Partners

President Zelensky has stated that European allies have not given him concrete pledges that they will protect his country in the event of a new Russian aggression.

"I am asking this very question to all our partners and I have not received a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he told reporters on Wednesday.

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

However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The US, which has been leading efforts to halt the offensive, reportedly did not sign such a commitment at talks in Paris on the previous day.

Outcomes from the Paris Discussions

After the Paris talks, which included some three dozen nations that form the group termed the 'Coalition of the Willing', British PM Keir Starmer said the UK and France would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, while France's President Macron later said a significant number of soldiers may be deployed.

Allies proposed that the US would assume a leading role in overseeing any ceasefire. But the key issue of ceding land that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as a component of the settlement terms are still being discussed.

The Russian government has thus far remained silent on the announcement made in the city of Paris.

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Moscow currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

Zelensky's Shifting Tone

Sir Keir described the joint statement as "a vital part of our commitment to support 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 rebuilding Ukraine's military for the future."

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

A day later, however, he seemed more cautious.

"I perceive the determination, the political will, and that the allies are prepared, and the partners are ready to give us strong sanctions, powerful defense assurances," he said when asked if nations in Europe would defend Ukraine.

"But as long as we lack such security guarantees - legally binding, endorsed by legislatures, supported by the United States Congress - this crucial issue cannot be answered. And even if they do, you must ultimately depend primarily on your own strength."

Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict

The Paris talks were also significant owing to the attendance of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.

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

Last week, Zelensky said a settlement was "ninety percent complete".

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

The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, dismissing potential concessions over how to conclude hostilities.

Zelensky has so far ruled out relinquishing any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an established line - but only if Russia did the same.

Russian forces now holds about 75% of the Donetsk oblast, and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the industrial Donbas region.

It has been intensifying attacks against cities in Ukraine - with a focus on energy infrastructure. Moscow is also achieving incremental advances in capturing more Ukrainian territory.

Ukraine has hit back at objectives inside Russia with drones, though with more limited success.