Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky States He Lacks Explicit Security Pledge from Partner Nations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says European allies have not given him concrete pledges that they will defend Ukraine in the case 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 midweek.

These remarks follow a day after the UK and France signed a statement of purpose on stationing forces in Ukraine if a peace deal to end the war with Russia is reached.

However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The US, which has been spearheading initiatives to end the invasion, was reported to have abstained from signing such a commitment at discussions held in the French capital on Tuesday.

Outcomes from the Paris Discussions

After the Paris talks, which involved some 30 countries that form the group termed the 'Coalition of the Willing', UK Prime Minister Sir 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 sent.

Partner nations suggested that the United States would assume a leading role in overseeing any ceasefire. But the central sticking point of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being pressured to offer to Russia as a component of the settlement terms are continuing to be negotiated.

Moscow has thus far remained silent on the declaration made in the city of Paris.

President Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces currently controls about 20% of Ukraine's land.

The President's Evolving Stance

The UK Prime Minister characterized the joint statement as "a vital part of our dedication to stand with Ukraine for the long-term".

He added: "It establishes the pathway for the juridical structure under which British, French and partner forces could function on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's military for the years to come."

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

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

"I perceive the determination, the political will, and that the allies are prepared, and the allies are willing to give us robust economic measures, powerful defense assurances," he said when questioned if nations in Europe would defend Ukraine.

"But as long as we don't have such binding security pacts - legally binding, endorsed by legislatures, supported by the United States Congress - this question cannot be answered. And should they materialize, you must ultimately depend primarily on your own strength."

Persistent Challenges and Fighting

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

Witkoff said the participating countries "largely finished" their work on finalizing security arrangements.

Recently, 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 the entirety of the Donbas region or Russia will seize it, rejecting any compromise over how to conclude hostilities.

The Ukrainian President has thus far rejected ceding any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point - but only if Russia did the same.

Russian forces now holds about 75% of the Donetsk oblast, and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts form the industrial Donbas region.

It has been intensifying attacks against Ukrainian cities - particularly targeting power facilities. Russia has also made incremental advances in seizing additional Ukrainian land.

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