Zelensky States Absence of Definitive Defense Guarantee from Partner Nations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's partners in Europe have failed to provide solid assurances that they will defend Ukraine in the case of a new Russian aggression.

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

His comments come a day after Britain and France inked a declaration of intent on deploying troops in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to end the war with Russia is finalized.

However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The United States, which has been spearheading initiatives to halt the offensive, reportedly did not sign such a pledge at talks in Paris on the previous day.

Outcomes from the Paris Discussions

After the Paris talks, which included some three dozen nations that comprise the so-called 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.

Partner nations suggested that the United States would assume a leading role in monitoring a truce. But the key issue of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being pressured to offer 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 comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow now occupies about one-fifth of Ukraine's land.

Zelensky's Shifting Tone

Sir Keir described the bilateral declaration as "an essential component of our commitment to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future".

He continued: "It establishes the pathway for the legal framework under which British, French and partner forces could function on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the years to come."

The Ukrainian leader praised that agreement as a "significant leap of progress".

Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he appeared less optimistic.

"I see the will, the political resolve, and that the partners are ready, and the allies are willing to give us strong sanctions, strong security guarantees," he said when questioned if European countries would come to Ukraine's aid.

"But as long as we don't have such security guarantees - formally ratified, supported by parliaments, supported by the United States Congress - this question cannot be answered. And even if they do, you still have to rely primarily on your own strength."

Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict

Negotiations in Paris were also notable due to the attendance of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.

Witkoff said the participating countries "largely finished" their work on agreeing security protocols.

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

Questions of land and security guarantees have been at the center of outstanding matters for negotiators.

Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's military must pull back from the entirety of the Donbas region or Moscow will take control, dismissing potential concessions over how to conclude hostilities.

The Ukrainian President has thus far rejected ceding any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an agreed point - but only if Russia reciprocated the action.

Moscow now holds about 75% of the Donetsk region, and some nearly all of the adjacent Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts constitute the Donbas industrial heartland.

It has been intensifying attacks against Ukrainian cities - particularly targeting power facilities. Russia has also made incremental advances in capturing more Ukrainian territory.

Ukraine has hit back at Russian targets with drones, though with varying degrees of effectiveness.