Zelensky Declares He Lacks Clear Defense Guarantee from European Partners

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him sound guarantees that they will defend Ukraine in the event of a future Russian attack.

"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 the UK and France signed a statement of purpose on deploying troops in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to end the war with Russia is agreed.

However, full security guarantees have yet to be solidified. The United States, 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

Following the negotiations in Paris, which included some 30 countries that form the so-called Coalition of the Willing, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the UK and France would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, while French President Emmanuel Macron later said a significant number of soldiers may be deployed.

Partner nations suggested that the United States would take the lead in overseeing any ceasefire. But the central sticking point of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being pressured to offer to Russia as part of the peace proposals are still being discussed.

Moscow has not yet commented 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 Russian forces now occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

Zelensky's Shifting Tone

Sir Keir described the bilateral declaration as "a vital part of our dedication to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future".

He continued: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which allied military personnel could operate on Ukraine's territory, 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 see the will, the political will, and that the partners are ready, and the allies are willing 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 binding security pacts - legally binding, endorsed by legislatures, backed by the U.S. Congress - this crucial issue remains unresolved. And even if they do, you still have to rely primarily on your own strength."

Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict

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

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

Recently, the President indicated a settlement was "90% ready".

Questions of land and defense pledges have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for diplomats.

The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukraine's military must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Moscow will take control, 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 provided that Russia did the same.

Russian forces now holds about three-quarters of the Donetsk region, and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions form the Donbas industrial heartland.

It has been intensifying attacks against Ukrainian cities - particularly targeting energy infrastructure. Moscow is also achieving incremental advances in seizing additional Ukrainian land.

Ukrainian forces have retaliated at objectives inside Russia with drones, albeit with more limited success.