Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky States He Lacks Explicit Defense Guarantee from Allies

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says European allies have not given him concrete pledges that they will protect his country in the case of a fresh offensive by Russia.

"I continue to pose this critical question to every one of our allies and I have not received a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he told reporters on Wednesday.

His comments come a day after the UK and France inked a statement of purpose on stationing forces in Ukraine if a peace deal to conclude the conflict with Moscow is agreed.

However, comprehensive defense assurances have not been agreed. The US, which has been spearheading initiatives to end the invasion, was reported to have abstained from signing such a commitment at talks in Paris on the previous day.

Outcomes from the Paris Discussions

Following the negotiations in Paris, which included some 30 countries that form the so-called Coalition of the Willing, British PM Keir Starmer said the UK and France would "set up operational bases across Ukraine" to prevent any future incursion, while French President Emmanuel Macron subsequently indicated a significant number of soldiers may be deployed.

Partner nations suggested that the US would take the lead in monitoring a truce. But the central sticking point of ceding land that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as a component of the settlement terms are continuing to be negotiated.

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

Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Russian forces currently controls about one-fifth of Ukraine's land.

The President's Evolving Stance

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

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

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

A day later, however, he seemed more cautious.

"I perceive the determination, the political will, and that the partners are ready, and the partners are ready to give us robust economic measures, strong security guarantees," he said when asked if nations in Europe would come to Ukraine's aid.

"But as long as we don't have such binding security pacts - formally ratified, endorsed by legislatures, supported by the United States Congress - this question cannot be answered. And even if they do, you must ultimately depend first and foremost on your own strength."

Persistent Challenges and Fighting

The Paris talks were also notable due 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.

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

Questions of land and security guarantees have been at the center of unresolved issues for diplomats.

Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, rejecting any compromise over how to conclude hostilities.

Zelensky has so far ruled out relinquishing any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an established line - but provided that Russia did the same.

Moscow now holds about 75% 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.

Ukrainian forces have retaliated at Russian targets with drones, though with more limited success.