Zelensky States Absence of Explicit Security Pledge from European Partners

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says European allies have failed to provide solid assurances 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 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 stationing forces in Ukraine if a peace deal to conclude the conflict with Moscow is reached.

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

Details of the Paris Talks

Following the negotiations in Paris, which included some three dozen nations that comprise the so-called Coalition of the Willing, British PM Keir Starmer said the UK and France would "set up operational bases across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, while France's President Macron later said thousands of troops may be sent.

Allies proposed that the United States would assume a leading role in overseeing any ceasefire. But the central sticking point of ceding land that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as a component of the settlement terms are still being discussed.

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

President Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces currently controls about 20% of Ukraine's land.

The President's Evolving Stance

The UK Prime Minister characterized the joint statement as "a vital part of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future".

He continued: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which allied military personnel could operate on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the future."

Zelensky hailed that accord as a "significant leap of progress".

Twenty-four hours afterward, 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 strong sanctions, strong security guarantees," he said when asked if European countries would defend Ukraine.

"However, until we lack such binding security pacts - formally ratified, endorsed by legislatures, backed by the U.S. Congress - this crucial issue remains unresolved. And should they materialize, you still have to rely first and foremost on your own strength."

Persistent Challenges and Fighting

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

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

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

Questions of land and security guarantees 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 Moscow will take control, 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 did the same.

Moscow now holds about three-quarters of the Donetsk oblast, and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the Donbas industrial heartland.

Attacks have been escalating against cities in Ukraine - particularly targeting power facilities. Moscow is also achieving incremental advances in capturing more Ukrainian territory.

Ukraine has hit back at Russian targets with drones, albeit with varying degrees of effectiveness.