Zelensky Declares Absence of Explicit Defense Guarantee from Partner Nations

President Zelensky has stated that Ukraine's partners in Europe have failed to provide sound guarantees that they will defend Ukraine in the case of a future Russian attack.

"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.

His comments come a day after the UK and France inked a declaration of intent on deploying troops in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to conclude the conflict with Moscow is finalized.

However, full security guarantees have yet to be solidified. The United States, which has been leading efforts to end the invasion, reportedly did not sign such a pledge at discussions held in the French capital on Tuesday.

Details of the Paris Talks

After the Paris talks, which included some 30 countries that form the so-called Coalition of the Willing, British PM Keir Starmer said the two nations would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, while France's President Macron later said 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 asked to grant to Russia as a component of the settlement terms are continuing to be negotiated.

The Russian government has thus far remained silent on the declaration made in the French capital.

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Russian forces now occupies about 20% 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 foreseeable future".

He added: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which allied military personnel could function on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the future."

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

Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he seemed more cautious.

"I see the will, the political will, and that the allies are prepared, and the allies are willing to give us strong sanctions, powerful defense assurances," he said when questioned if nations in Europe would come to Ukraine's aid.

"But as long as we lack such security guarantees - formally ratified, supported by parliaments, supported by the United States Congress - this crucial issue remains unresolved. And even if they do, you must ultimately depend first and foremost on your inherent capabilities."

Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict

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

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

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

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

Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops 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 withdraw its troops to an agreed point - but only if Russia reciprocated the action.

Moscow currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk oblast, and some nearly all of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions form the industrial Donbas region.

It has been intensifying attacks against cities in Ukraine - particularly targeting power facilities. Moscow is also achieving incremental advances in capturing more Ukrainian territory.

Ukraine has hit back at Russian targets with unmanned aerial vehicles, though with varying degrees of effectiveness.