Zelensky States He Lacks Clear Defense Guarantee from Allies

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says European allies have not given him solid assurances that they will protect his country 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 definitive and straightforward response yet," he told reporters on Wednesday.

These remarks follow a day after the UK and France inked a declaration of intent on deploying troops in Ukraine if a peace deal to end the war with Russia is reached.

However, comprehensive defense assurances have not been agreed. The United States, 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

Following the negotiations in Paris, which involved some three dozen nations that form the so-called Coalition of the Willing, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the UK and France would "set up operational bases across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, while France's President Macron later said thousands of troops may be sent.

Partner nations suggested that the United States would assume a leading role in monitoring a truce. But the central sticking point of territorial concessions 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 announcement made in the French capital.

Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces currently controls about 20% of Ukraine's land.

Zelensky's Shifting Tone

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

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 rebuilding Ukraine's military for the years to come."

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

A day later, however, he seemed more cautious.

"I see the will, the political resolve, and that the partners are ready, and the allies are willing to give us strong sanctions, strong security guarantees," he said when questioned if European countries would come to Ukraine's aid.

"However, until we lack such security guarantees - legally binding, endorsed by legislatures, backed by the U.S. Congress - this crucial issue cannot be answered. And even if they do, you must ultimately depend first and foremost on your own strength."

Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict

Negotiations in Paris were also notable owing to the presence of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

One envoy stated the allies "largely finished" their work on finalizing security arrangements.

Recently, the President indicated a peace deal was "90% ready".

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

The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war.

The Ukrainian President has thus far rejected relinquishing any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an established line - but provided that Russia did the same.

Russian forces currently controls about three-quarters of the Donetsk region, and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions form the Donbas industrial heartland.

Attacks have been escalating against cities in Ukraine - with a focus on energy infrastructure. Russia has also made incremental advances in seizing additional Ukrainian land.

Ukraine has hit back at Russian targets with drones, albeit with varying degrees of effectiveness.