Zelensky States He Lacks Explicit Defense Guarantee from Allies

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says European allies have failed to provide concrete pledges that they will protect his country in the event of a fresh offensive by Russia.

"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.

His comments come a day after the UK and France signed a declaration of intent on deploying troops in Ukraine if a peace deal to end the war with Russia is finalized.

However, comprehensive defense assurances have yet to be solidified. The United States, which has been spearheading initiatives to halt the offensive, was reported to have abstained from signing such a commitment at discussions held in the French capital on the previous day.

Details of the Paris Talks

Following the negotiations in Paris, which involved some 30 countries that comprise the group termed the 'Coalition of the Willing', British PM Keir Starmer said the two nations would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to prevent any future incursion, while France's President Macron subsequently indicated thousands of troops may be deployed.

Partner nations suggested that the US would assume a leading role in overseeing any ceasefire. But the key issue of ceding land that Ukraine is being pressured to offer to Russia as part of the peace proposals are still being discussed.

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

President Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces currently controls about one-fifth of Ukraine's land.

Zelensky's Shifting Tone

Sir Keir described the joint statement as "an essential component of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future".

He added: "It establishes the pathway for the juridical structure under which allied military personnel could function on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding 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 see the will, the political will, and that the partners are ready, and the allies are willing to give us robust economic measures, powerful defense assurances," he said when asked if European countries would defend Ukraine.

"But as long as we lack such security guarantees - formally ratified, supported by parliaments, supported by the United States Congress - this question cannot be answered. And should they materialize, 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 US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.

Witkoff said the participating countries "largely finished" their work on finalizing security arrangements.

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

Questions of land and defense pledges have been at the center of outstanding matters for negotiators.

Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must pull back from the entirety of the Donbas region 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 agreed point - but only if Russia did the same.

Moscow currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region, and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the industrial Donbas region.

Attacks have been escalating against Ukrainian cities - with a focus on energy infrastructure. Russia has also made incremental advances in capturing more Ukrainian territory.

Ukrainian forces have retaliated at Russian targets with drones, though with more limited success.