Zelensky Asserts He Lacks Explicit Defense Guarantee from European Partners

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says European allies have not given him sound guarantees that they will protect his country in the event of a future Russian attack.

"I continue to pose this critical 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 stationing forces in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to conclude the conflict with Moscow is reached.

However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The US, which has been leading efforts to end the invasion, reportedly did not sign such a commitment at discussions held in the French capital on Tuesday.

Details of the Paris Talks

Following the negotiations in Paris, which involved some three dozen nations that comprise the so-called Coalition of the Willing, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the two nations would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to prevent any future incursion, while French President Emmanuel Macron subsequently indicated a significant number of soldiers may be sent.

Allies proposed that the United States 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 a component of the settlement terms are still being discussed.

Moscow has thus far remained silent on the announcement made in the city of Paris.

Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces now occupies about one-fifth of Ukraine's land.

Zelensky's Shifting Tone

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

He added: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which allied military personnel could function on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the years to come."

The Ukrainian leader praised that accord as a "huge step forward".

A day later, however, he appeared less optimistic.

"I perceive the determination, the political will, and that the partners are ready, and the partners are ready to give us strong sanctions, strong security guarantees," he said when asked if European countries would come to Ukraine's aid.

"But as long as we lack such security guarantees - formally ratified, endorsed by legislatures, supported by the United States Congress - this question cannot be answered. And even if they do, you must ultimately depend first and foremost on your inherent capabilities."

Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict

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

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

Recently, Zelensky said a peace deal was "ninety percent complete".

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

The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the entirety of the Donbas region or Russia will seize it, rejecting any compromise over how to conclude hostilities.

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

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

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

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