Zelensky States Absence of Clear Security Pledge from Partner Nations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says European allies have failed to provide concrete pledges that they will protect his country in the event of a future Russian attack.

"I continue to pose this critical question to all our partners and I have not received a definitive and straightforward response yet," he told reporters on Wednesday.

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

However, full security guarantees have yet to be solidified. The United States, which has been leading efforts to halt the offensive, 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 comprise the so-called Coalition of the Willing, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the two nations would "set up operational bases across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, while France's President Macron later said thousands of troops may be deployed.

Allies proposed that the United States would assume a leading role in overseeing any ceasefire. But the central sticking point of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being asked to grant 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 French capital.

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

The President's Evolving Stance

Sir Keir described the bilateral declaration as "an essential component of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future".

He added: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French and partner forces could function on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the future."

The Ukrainian leader praised that accord as a "significant leap of progress".

A day later, however, he appeared less optimistic.

"I see the will, the political resolve, and that the allies are prepared, and the allies are willing to give us strong sanctions, strong security guarantees," he said when questioned if European countries would defend Ukraine.

"However, until we don't have such binding security pacts - formally ratified, supported by parliaments, backed by the U.S. Congress - this question remains unresolved. And should they materialize, you must ultimately depend primarily on your own strength."

Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict

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

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

Recently, Zelensky said a settlement was "90% ready".

Questions of land and defense pledges have been at the forefront of outstanding matters for diplomats.

Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's military must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war.

The Ukrainian President has thus far rejected relinquishing any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an established line - but provided that Russia reciprocated the action.

Russian forces currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk oblast, and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The two regions form the Donbas industrial heartland.

It has been intensifying attacks against Ukrainian cities - particularly targeting energy infrastructure. Moscow is also achieving incremental advances in seizing additional Ukrainian land.

Ukraine has hit back at Russian targets with drones, though with more limited success.