Zelensky Declares He Lacks Clear Security Pledge from European Partners

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says European allies have not given him concrete pledges 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 thus far, the answer remains elusive a definitive and straightforward response yet," he stated to the press on Wednesday.

His comments come a day after Britain and France signed a declaration of intent on stationing forces in Ukraine if a peace deal to end the war with Russia is reached.

However, full security guarantees have yet to be solidified. The United States, which has been leading efforts to end the invasion, reportedly did not sign such a commitment at talks in Paris on Tuesday.

Outcomes from the Paris Discussions

After the Paris talks, which included some 30 countries that form the group termed the 'Coalition of the Willing', British PM Keir Starmer said the two nations would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, while French President Emmanuel Macron later said thousands of troops may be deployed.

Allies proposed that the US would take the lead in overseeing any ceasefire. But the key issue of ceding land that Ukraine is being asked to grant 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 Russian forces now occupies 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 foreseeable future".

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

The Ukrainian leader praised that accord 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 strong sanctions, strong security guarantees," he said when questioned if European countries would defend Ukraine.

"However, until we don't have such security guarantees - formally ratified, supported by parliaments, backed by the U.S. Congress - this crucial issue cannot be answered. And even if they do, you must ultimately depend primarily on your own strength."

Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict

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

Witkoff said the allies "mostly completed" their work on agreeing security protocols.

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

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

Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's military 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 proposed that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an agreed point - but only if Russia reciprocated the action.

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

It has been intensifying attacks against cities in Ukraine - particularly targeting energy infrastructure. Russia has also made slow progress in capturing more Ukrainian territory.

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