Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Declares He Lacks Clear Defense Guarantee from Allies

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

"I am asking this very question to every one of our allies and thus far, the answer remains elusive a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he told reporters on midweek.

His comments come a day after the UK and France signed a statement of purpose on deploying troops in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to conclude the conflict with Moscow is reached.

However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The United States, which has been spearheading initiatives to halt the offensive, reportedly did not sign such a pledge at talks in Paris on Tuesday.

Details of the Paris Talks

After the Paris talks, which included some three dozen nations that comprise the group termed the '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 French President Emmanuel Macron later said thousands of troops may be deployed.

Allies proposed that the United States would assume a leading role in monitoring a truce. But the key issue of ceding land that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as part of the peace proposals are still being discussed.

The Russian government has not yet commented on the announcement made in the French capital.

President Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Moscow currently controls about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory.

Zelensky's Shifting Tone

The UK Prime Minister characterized the bilateral declaration as "an essential component of our dedication to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future".

He added: "It establishes the pathway for the juridical structure under which allied military personnel could function on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the years to come."

Zelensky hailed that agreement as a "huge step forward".

A day later, however, he appeared less optimistic.

"I perceive the determination, the political resolve, and that the allies are prepared, and the allies are willing to give us robust economic measures, powerful defense assurances," he said when asked if nations in Europe would come to Ukraine's aid.

"But as long as we don't have such security guarantees - legally binding, supported by parliaments, backed by the U.S. Congress - this crucial issue cannot be answered. And should they materialize, you must ultimately depend primarily on your own strength."

Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict

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

Witkoff said the participating countries "largely finished" their work on agreeing security protocols.

Last week, Zelensky said a peace deal 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 Ukraine's military must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas 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 did the same.

Moscow now holds about 75% of the Donetsk region, and some nearly all of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts constitute the Donbas industrial heartland.

Attacks have been escalating against cities in Ukraine - with a focus on power facilities. Moscow is also achieving incremental advances in capturing more Ukrainian territory.

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