Zelensky Declares Absence of Explicit Defense Guarantee from Allies

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him sound guarantees that they will protect his country in the event of a fresh offensive by Russia.

"I am asking this very question to every one of our allies and I have not received a definitive and straightforward response yet," he stated to the press on midweek.

These remarks follow a day after Britain and France inked a declaration of intent on deploying troops in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to end the war with Russia is agreed.

However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The United States, which has been leading efforts to end the invasion, was reported to have abstained from signing such a commitment at talks in Paris on Tuesday.

Details of the Paris Talks

After the Paris talks, 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 France's President Macron later said a significant number of soldiers may be deployed.

Allies proposed that the US would take the lead in overseeing any ceasefire. But the key issue of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being pressured to offer to Russia as part of the peace proposals are continuing to be negotiated.

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

Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Moscow now occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

Zelensky's Shifting Tone

Sir Keir described the bilateral declaration as "a vital part of our dedication to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future".

He continued: "It establishes the pathway for the legal framework under which allied military personnel could operate on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the years to come."

The Ukrainian leader praised that agreement as a "huge step forward".

A day later, however, he seemed more cautious.

"I see the will, the political resolve, and that the partners are ready, and the partners are ready to give us strong sanctions, powerful defense assurances," he said when questioned if nations in Europe would defend Ukraine.

"However, until we don't have such security guarantees - legally binding, endorsed by legislatures, backed by the U.S. Congress - this question cannot be answered. And should they materialize, you still have to rely first and foremost on your own strength."

Persistent Challenges and Fighting

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

One envoy stated the allies "largely finished" their work on finalizing security arrangements.

Last week, the President indicated a settlement was "90% ready".

Questions of land and defense pledges have been at the forefront 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 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 did the same.

Russian forces now holds about three-quarters of the Donetsk oblast, and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts constitute the industrial Donbas region.

Attacks have been escalating against Ukrainian cities - with a focus on power facilities. Moscow is also achieving incremental advances in seizing additional Ukrainian land.

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