Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Declares He Lacks Clear Security Pledge from European Partners

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him sound guarantees that they will protect his country in the case of a future Russian attack.

"I am asking this very question to all our partners and thus far, the answer remains elusive a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he told reporters on Wednesday.

His comments come a day after Britain and France inked a statement of purpose on deploying troops in Ukraine if a peace deal to end the war with Russia is finalized.

However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The United States, which has been leading efforts to halt the offensive, reportedly did not sign such a commitment at discussions held in the French capital on Tuesday.

Details of the Paris Talks

After the Paris talks, which included some three dozen nations that form the group termed the 'Coalition of the Willing', British PM Keir Starmer said the two nations would "set up operational bases across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, 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 overseeing any ceasefire. But the central sticking point 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 not yet commented on the declaration made in the French capital.

President Putin launched a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Moscow currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

Zelensky's Shifting Tone

Sir Keir described the joint statement as "an essential component of our dedication to support Ukraine for the long-term".

He continued: "It establishes the pathway for the legal framework under which British, French and partner forces could function on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding 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 see the will, the political will, and that the partners are ready, and the allies are willing to give us robust economic measures, powerful defense assurances," he said when questioned if nations in Europe would defend Ukraine.

"But as long as we don't have such binding security pacts - formally ratified, supported by parliaments, 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 inherent capabilities."

Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict

Negotiations in Paris were also notable due 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 finalizing security arrangements.

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

Territorial concessions and defense pledges have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for diplomats.

The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukraine's military must withdraw 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 ceding any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point - 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 two regions form the industrial Donbas region.

It has been intensifying attacks against Ukrainian cities - with a focus on power facilities. Russia has also made slow progress in capturing more Ukrainian territory.

Ukraine has hit back at objectives inside Russia with unmanned aerial vehicles, albeit with more limited success.