Zelensky Declares He Lacks Explicit Defense Guarantee from European Partners

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him concrete pledges that they will defend Ukraine in the event of a new Russian aggression.

"I continue to pose this critical 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 the UK and France signed a declaration of intent on deploying troops in Ukraine if a peace deal to conclude the conflict with Moscow is reached.

However, comprehensive defense assurances have yet to be solidified. 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.

Details of the Paris Talks

Following the negotiations in Paris, which involved some three dozen nations that comprise the group termed the 'Coalition of the Willing', UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the UK and France would "set up operational bases across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, while France's President Macron subsequently indicated thousands of troops may be deployed.

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 a component of the settlement terms are still being discussed.

Moscow has not yet commented on the declaration made in the city of Paris.

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

The President's Evolving Stance

The UK Prime Minister characterized the joint statement as "an essential component of our dedication to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future".

He added: "It establishes the pathway for the juridical structure under which British, French and partner forces could operate on Ukraine's territory, 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 appeared less optimistic.

"I see the will, the political resolve, and that the partners are ready, and the partners are ready to give us strong sanctions, powerful defense assurances," he said when asked if nations in Europe would come to Ukraine's aid.

"But as long as we don't have such binding security pacts - legally binding, endorsed by legislatures, supported by the United States Congress - this crucial issue remains unresolved. And even if they do, you still have to rely primarily on your own strength."

Persistent Challenges and Fighting

Negotiations in Paris were also notable owing to the presence of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

One envoy stated the allies "mostly completed" their work on finalizing security arrangements.

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

Questions of land and security guarantees have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for negotiators.

Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Moscow will take control, rejecting any compromise over how to conclude hostilities.

The Ukrainian President has thus far rejected relinquishing any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an established line - but provided that Russia reciprocated the action.

Russian forces currently controls about three-quarters of the Donetsk region, and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts constitute the industrial Donbas region.

It has been intensifying attacks against Ukrainian cities - with a focus on energy infrastructure. Russia has also made incremental advances in capturing more Ukrainian territory.

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