Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Declares He Lacks Definitive Defense Guarantee from Partner Nations

President Zelensky has stated that Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him sound guarantees that they will protect his country in the case of a new Russian aggression.

"I continue to pose this critical question to every one of our allies and thus far, the answer remains elusive a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he told reporters on Wednesday.

These remarks follow a day after Britain and France signed a declaration of intent on stationing forces in Ukraine if a peace deal to end the war with Russia is agreed.

However, comprehensive defense assurances have not been agreed. The US, which has been leading efforts to end the invasion, was reported to have abstained from signing such a pledge at discussions held in the French capital on Tuesday.

Outcomes from the Paris Discussions

After the Paris talks, which involved some 30 countries that comprise the so-called Coalition of the Willing, British PM Keir Starmer said the UK and France would "set up operational bases across Ukraine" to prevent any future incursion, while French President Emmanuel Macron subsequently indicated thousands of troops may be sent.

Allies proposed that the US would take the lead in monitoring a truce. But the key issue of ceding land that Ukraine is being pressured to offer to Russia as part of the peace proposals are continuing to be negotiated.

The Russian government has not yet commented on the announcement made in the city of Paris.

Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces now occupies about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory.

Zelensky's Shifting Tone

Sir Keir described the bilateral declaration as "a vital part of our commitment to support Ukraine for the long-term".

He added: "It establishes the pathway for the legal framework under which allied military personnel could operate on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the years to come."

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

A day later, however, he seemed more cautious.

"I perceive the determination, the political resolve, and that the partners are ready, and the allies are willing to give us robust economic measures, strong security guarantees," he said when questioned if European countries would defend Ukraine.

"But as long as we lack such security guarantees - legally binding, endorsed by legislatures, supported by the United States Congress - this crucial issue remains unresolved. And even if they do, you must ultimately depend primarily on your own strength."

Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict

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

One envoy stated the allies "largely finished" their work on agreeing security protocols.

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

Territorial concessions and security guarantees have been at the center of unresolved issues for negotiators.

The Russian leader has consistently stated 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.

Zelensky has so far ruled out ceding any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an established line - but only if Russia did the same.

Moscow now holds about three-quarters of the Donetsk oblast, and some nearly all of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions constitute the industrial Donbas region.

Attacks have been escalating against Ukrainian cities - particularly targeting power facilities. Moscow is also achieving incremental advances in capturing more Ukrainian territory.

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