Zelensky States Absence of Clear Defense Guarantee from European Partners

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him sound guarantees that they will defend Ukraine in the event of a new Russian aggression.

"I continue to pose this critical question to all our partners and I have not received a definitive and straightforward response yet," he told reporters on Wednesday.

These remarks follow 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 finalized.

However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The US, which has been spearheading initiatives to halt the offensive, reportedly did not sign such a commitment at talks in Paris on the previous day.

Outcomes from the Paris Discussions

After the Paris talks, which included some three dozen nations that form the so-called 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 France's President Macron subsequently indicated thousands of troops 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 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.

Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Moscow now occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

Zelensky's Shifting Tone

Sir Keir described the bilateral declaration as "a vital part of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future".

He continued: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which allied military personnel could function on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the years to come."

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

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

"I perceive the determination, 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 defend Ukraine.

"However, until we lack such security guarantees - formally ratified, endorsed by legislatures, supported by the United States Congress - this crucial issue 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 owing to the presence of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.

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

Recently, the President indicated a settlement was "ninety percent complete".

Questions of land and security guarantees have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for negotiators.

Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's military must pull back from the entirety of the Donbas region or Moscow will take control, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war.

The Ukrainian President has thus far rejected relinquishing any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an established line - but only if Russia reciprocated the action.

Russian forces now holds about three-quarters of the Donetsk region, and some nearly all of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the Donbas industrial heartland.

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

Ukrainian forces have retaliated at Russian targets with unmanned aerial vehicles, though with more limited success.