Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky States He Lacks 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 event of a future Russian attack.

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

His comments come a day after Britain and France inked a statement of purpose on deploying troops in Ukraine if a peace deal to end the war with Russia is agreed.

However, full security guarantees have yet to be solidified. The United States, which has been leading efforts to halt the offensive, was reported to have abstained from signing such a pledge at discussions held in the French capital on the previous day.

Details of the Paris Talks

After the Paris talks, which involved some three dozen nations 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 prevent any future incursion, while France's President Macron later said a significant number of soldiers may be deployed.

Allies proposed that the US would assume a leading role in monitoring a truce. But the central sticking point of ceding land 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 declaration made in the city of Paris.

President Putin launched a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces currently controls about one-fifth of Ukraine's land.

Zelensky's Shifting Tone

Sir Keir described the bilateral declaration as "a vital part of our dedication 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 Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and rebuilding 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 resolve, 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.

"However, until we don't have such security guarantees - legally binding, supported by parliaments, backed by the U.S. Congress - this question cannot be answered. And should they materialize, you still have to rely primarily on your inherent capabilities."

Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict

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

Witkoff said 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 defense pledges have been at the center of unresolved issues for diplomats.

Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the entirety of the Donbas region or Moscow will take control, dismissing potential concessions over how to conclude hostilities.

The Ukrainian President has thus far rejected ceding any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an established line - but provided that Russia reciprocated the action.

Moscow currently controls about three-quarters of the Donetsk oblast, and some nearly all of the adjacent Luhansk region. The two regions constitute the Donbas industrial heartland.

It has been intensifying attacks against cities in Ukraine - with a focus on power facilities. Moscow is also achieving slow progress in capturing more Ukrainian territory.

Ukraine has hit back at Russian targets with unmanned aerial vehicles, though with more limited success.