Zelensky States Absence of Definitive Defense Guarantee from Allies

President Zelensky has stated that European allies have not given him solid assurances that they will defend Ukraine in the case of a fresh offensive by Russia.

"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 midweek.

These remarks follow a day after the UK and France signed a declaration of intent 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 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 the previous day.

Outcomes from the Paris Discussions

After the Paris talks, which included some three dozen nations that comprise 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 subsequently indicated a significant number of soldiers may be deployed.

Allies proposed that the United States would take the lead in overseeing any ceasefire. But the central sticking point of ceding land that Ukraine is being pressured to offer to Russia as a component of the settlement terms are still being discussed.

Moscow has not yet commented on the announcement made in the city of Paris.

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

Zelensky's Shifting Tone

Sir Keir described the joint statement as "an essential component of our commitment to support Ukraine for the long-term".

He added: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which British, French and partner forces could function on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's military for the future."

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

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

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

"However, until we lack such security guarantees - formally ratified, supported by parliaments, backed by the U.S. Congress - this question cannot be answered. And even if they do, you must ultimately depend first and foremost on your inherent capabilities."

Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict

Negotiations in Paris were also significant owing to the presence of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

One envoy stated the allies "mostly completed" their work on agreeing security protocols.

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

Territorial concessions and defense pledges have been at the forefront of outstanding matters for diplomats.

The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the entirety of the Donbas region or Moscow will take control, dismissing potential concessions over how to end the war.

Zelensky has so far ruled out ceding any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point - but only if Russia reciprocated the action.

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

It has been intensifying attacks against cities in Ukraine - with a focus on energy infrastructure. 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.