Zelensky Declares Absence of Definitive Defense Guarantee from European Partners

President Zelensky has stated that Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him solid assurances that they will defend Ukraine in the case of a future Russian attack.

"I am asking this very question to all our partners and I have not received a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he stated to the press on Wednesday.

His comments come a day after the UK and France signed a declaration of intent on deploying troops in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to conclude the conflict with Moscow 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 talks in Paris on Tuesday.

Details of the Paris Talks

Following the negotiations in Paris, which involved some 30 countries that comprise the so-called Coalition of the Willing, British PM Keir Starmer said the two nations would "set up operational bases across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, while French President Emmanuel 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 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 thus far remained silent on the announcement made in the city of Paris.

President Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow now occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

Zelensky's Shifting Tone

Sir Keir described the joint statement as "an essential component of our dedication to stand with Ukraine for the long-term".

He continued: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French and partner forces could operate on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the future."

Zelensky hailed that agreement as a "significant leap of progress".

A day later, however, he appeared less optimistic.

"I see the will, the political resolve, and that the allies are prepared, and the partners are ready to give us robust economic measures, powerful defense assurances," he said when asked if European countries would come to Ukraine's aid.

"However, until we don't have such binding security pacts - legally binding, endorsed by legislatures, backed by the U.S. Congress - this question remains unresolved. And even if they do, you must ultimately depend first and foremost on your own strength."

Persistent Challenges and Fighting

Negotiations in Paris were also significant 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, the President indicated a settlement was "90% ready".

Territorial concessions and defense pledges have been at the center of unresolved issues for diplomats.

Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's military must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, dismissing potential concessions over how to conclude hostilities.

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

Russian forces now holds about three-quarters of the Donetsk region, and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts constitute 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, though with varying degrees of effectiveness.