Zelensky States Absence of Explicit Security Pledge 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 new Russian aggression.

"I continue to pose this critical question to every one of our allies and I have not received a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he told reporters on Wednesday.

These remarks follow a day after the UK 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 yet to be solidified. The United States, which has been leading efforts to halt the offensive, reportedly did not sign such a pledge at discussions held in the French capital on the previous day.

Outcomes from the Paris Discussions

After the Paris talks, which involved some three dozen nations that form the so-called Coalition of the Willing, British PM Keir Starmer said the UK and France would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, while France's President Macron subsequently indicated thousands of troops may be deployed.

Allies proposed that the US would take the lead in monitoring a truce. But the central sticking point of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as part of the peace proposals are still being discussed.

The Russian government has thus far remained silent 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 currently controls about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory.

Zelensky's Shifting Tone

Sir Keir described the bilateral declaration as "an essential component 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, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the years to come."

The Ukrainian leader praised that accord as a "significant leap of progress".

A day later, however, he seemed more cautious.

"I perceive the determination, the political resolve, and that the partners are ready, and the partners are ready to give us strong sanctions, powerful defense assurances," he said when questioned if European countries would defend Ukraine.

"But as long as we lack such security guarantees - legally binding, supported by parliaments, supported by the United States Congress - this crucial issue cannot be answered. And even if they do, you must ultimately depend primarily on your own strength."

Persistent Challenges and Fighting

The Paris talks were also notable owing to the attendance of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.

One envoy stated the participating countries "mostly completed" their work on finalizing security arrangements.

Last week, Zelensky said a peace deal was "90% ready".

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

Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must pull back 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 ceding any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an established line - but only if Russia did the same.

Russian forces now holds about 75% of the Donetsk oblast, and some nearly all of the adjacent Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts form the Donbas industrial heartland.

It has been intensifying attacks against cities in Ukraine - with a focus on power facilities. Russia has also made incremental advances in capturing more Ukrainian territory.

Ukrainian forces have retaliated at objectives inside Russia with unmanned aerial vehicles, though with more limited success.