Zelensky Asserts Absence of Definitive Defense Guarantee from European Partners

President Zelensky has stated that Ukraine's partners in Europe have failed to provide solid assurances that they will defend Ukraine in the event of a future Russian attack.

"I am asking this very question to all our partners and I have not received a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he told reporters on midweek.

His comments come a day after the UK and France signed a declaration of intent on stationing forces in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to end the war with Russia is agreed.

However, comprehensive defense assurances have yet to be solidified. The US, which has been spearheading initiatives to halt the offensive, reportedly did not sign such a pledge at discussions held in the French capital on Tuesday.

Outcomes from the Paris Discussions

Following the negotiations in Paris, which included some 30 countries that comprise 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 thousands of troops may be deployed.

Partner nations suggested that the United States 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 a component of the settlement terms are continuing to be negotiated.

Moscow has thus far remained silent on the declaration made in the city of Paris.

President Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow 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 continued: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which allied military personnel could function on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the years to come."

The Ukrainian leader praised that agreement as a "significant leap of progress".

A day later, however, he appeared less optimistic.

"I perceive the determination, the political resolve, and that the partners are ready, and the partners are ready to give us robust economic measures, powerful defense assurances," he said when asked if European countries would defend Ukraine.

"However, until we lack such binding security pacts - legally binding, endorsed by legislatures, backed by the U.S. Congress - this crucial issue cannot be answered. And should they materialize, you must ultimately depend primarily on your inherent capabilities."

Persistent Challenges and Fighting

Negotiations in Paris were also significant due to the attendance of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.

Witkoff said the participating countries "mostly completed" their work on finalizing security arrangements.

Recently, Zelensky said a peace deal was "ninety percent complete".

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

Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's military must withdraw 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 relinquishing any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an established line - but provided that Russia reciprocated the action.

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

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

Ukraine has hit back at objectives inside Russia with drones, albeit with more limited success.