Zelensky Asserts He Lacks Explicit Defense Guarantee from European Partners

President Zelensky has stated that Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him concrete pledges that they will protect his country in the case of a future Russian attack.

"I am asking this very question to all our partners and thus far, the answer remains elusive a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he told reporters on Wednesday.

His comments come a day after the UK and France signed a statement of purpose on deploying troops in Ukraine if a peace deal to conclude the conflict with Moscow is reached.

However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The US, which has been leading efforts to halt the offensive, was reported to have abstained from signing such a commitment at talks in Paris on the previous day.

Details of the Paris Talks

After the Paris talks, which included some three dozen nations that comprise the group termed the 'Coalition of the Willing', UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the two nations would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, while French President Emmanuel Macron later said a significant number of soldiers may be sent.

Allies proposed that the US would take the lead in monitoring a truce. But the key issue of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as part of the peace proposals are continuing to be negotiated.

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 the early months of 2022, and Russian forces now occupies about one-fifth of Ukraine's land.

The President's Evolving Stance

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

He continued: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which allied military personnel could function on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the future."

Zelensky hailed that accord as a "huge step forward".

Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he appeared less optimistic.

"I see the will, 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 asked if European countries would defend Ukraine.

"However, until we don't have such binding security pacts - legally binding, endorsed by legislatures, supported by the United States Congress - this crucial issue remains unresolved. And even if they do, you still have to rely primarily on your inherent capabilities."

Persistent Challenges and Fighting

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

Witkoff said the participating countries "mostly completed" their work on agreeing security protocols.

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

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

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

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

Moscow now holds about 75% of the Donetsk oblast, and some nearly all of the adjacent Luhansk region. The two regions constitute the Donbas industrial heartland.

Attacks have been escalating against cities in Ukraine - particularly targeting power facilities. Moscow is also achieving slow progress in seizing additional Ukrainian land.

Ukraine has hit back at Russian targets with drones, though with more limited success.