Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky States Absence of Definitive Defense Guarantee from European Partners

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him concrete pledges that they will defend Ukraine in the event of a fresh offensive by Russia.

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

His comments come a day after Britain and France signed a statement of purpose on deploying troops in Ukraine if a peace deal to conclude the conflict with Moscow is agreed.

However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The US, which has been spearheading initiatives to halt the offensive, was reported to have abstained from signing such a pledge at talks in Paris on the previous day.

Outcomes from the Paris Discussions

After the Paris talks, which involved some 30 countries that form the group termed the 'Coalition of the Willing', UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the two nations would "establish military hubs 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 assume a leading role in overseeing any ceasefire. But the central sticking point of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being pressured to offer to Russia as a component of the settlement terms are still being discussed.

The Russian government has thus far remained silent on the declaration made in the French capital.

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Russian forces now occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

Zelensky's Shifting Tone

The UK Prime Minister characterized the bilateral declaration as "an essential component of our commitment to support Ukraine for the long-term".

He added: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which allied military personnel could operate on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the future."

Zelensky hailed that accord 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, strong security guarantees," he said when questioned if European countries would defend Ukraine.

"But as long as we don't have such security guarantees - legally binding, endorsed by legislatures, backed by the U.S. Congress - this crucial issue remains unresolved. And should they materialize, you must ultimately depend first and foremost on your inherent capabilities."

Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict

Negotiations in Paris were also notable owing to the attendance of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

One envoy stated the participating countries "largely finished" their work on agreeing security protocols.

Last week, Zelensky said a settlement was "ninety percent complete".

Questions of land and defense pledges have been at the center of outstanding matters for negotiators.

The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukraine's military must pull back from the entirety of the Donbas region or Moscow will take control, dismissing potential concessions over how to conclude hostilities.

The Ukrainian President has thus far rejected relinquishing any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an agreed point - but only if Russia reciprocated the action.

Moscow currently controls about three-quarters of the Donetsk region, and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions constitute the industrial Donbas region.

Attacks have been escalating against Ukrainian cities - with a focus on energy infrastructure. Russia has also made incremental advances in capturing more Ukrainian territory.

Ukraine has hit back at objectives inside Russia with drones, albeit with varying degrees of effectiveness.