Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Declares He Lacks Definitive Defense Guarantee from European Partners

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says European allies have not given him sound guarantees that they will protect his country in the event of a future Russian attack.

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

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

However, comprehensive defense assurances 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 discussions held in the French capital on Tuesday.

Outcomes from the Paris Discussions

After the Paris talks, which involved some 30 countries that form the so-called Coalition of the Willing, British PM Keir Starmer said the UK and France would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to prevent any future incursion, while French President Emmanuel Macron later said a significant number of soldiers may be deployed.

Allies proposed that the United States would take the lead in monitoring a truce. But the key issue of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as a component of the settlement terms are continuing to be negotiated.

Moscow has not yet commented on the declaration made in the French capital.

President Putin initiated a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow now occupies about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory.

Zelensky's Shifting Tone

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

He continued: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French and partner forces could function on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's military for the years to come."

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 will, and that the allies are prepared, and the allies are willing to give us robust economic measures, strong security guarantees," he said when questioned if European countries would defend Ukraine.

"But as long as we lack such security guarantees - legally binding, endorsed by legislatures, backed by the U.S. Congress - this crucial issue cannot be answered. And should they materialize, you still have to rely first and foremost on your inherent capabilities."

Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict

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

Witkoff said the allies "mostly completed" their work on finalizing security arrangements.

Last week, the President indicated a peace deal was "ninety percent complete".

Territorial concessions and defense pledges have been at the center of outstanding matters for diplomats.

The Russian leader has consistently stated 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 relinquishing any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an established line - but only if Russia reciprocated the action.

Moscow now holds about three-quarters of the Donetsk oblast, and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The two regions form the industrial Donbas region.

It has been intensifying attacks against Ukrainian cities - particularly targeting power facilities. Russia has also made incremental advances in seizing additional Ukrainian land.

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