Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Asserts Absence of Explicit Defense Guarantee from Allies

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says European allies have not given him concrete pledges that they will protect his country in the case of a new Russian aggression.

"I am asking this very question to every one of our allies and I have not received a definitive and straightforward response yet," he stated to the press on Wednesday.

These remarks follow a day after the UK and France signed a declaration of intent on stationing forces in Ukraine if a peace deal to end the war with Russia is agreed.

However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The US, which has been spearheading initiatives to end the invasion, reportedly did not sign such a pledge at talks in Paris on the previous day.

Outcomes from the Paris Discussions

After the Paris talks, which included some 30 countries that form the group termed the '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 French President Emmanuel Macron subsequently indicated a significant number of soldiers may be deployed.

Partner nations suggested that the United States would take the lead in overseeing any ceasefire. But the key issue of ceding land that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as part of the peace proposals are continuing to be negotiated.

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

President Putin initiated a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces currently controls about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory.

Zelensky's Shifting Tone

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

He continued: "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 military for the future."

The Ukrainian leader praised that accord as a "huge step forward".

Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he seemed more cautious.

"I perceive the determination, the political resolve, and that the allies are prepared, and the partners are ready to give us strong sanctions, powerful defense assurances," he said when questioned if European countries would come to Ukraine's aid.

"But as long as we lack such security guarantees - legally binding, supported by parliaments, backed by the U.S. Congress - this crucial issue remains unresolved. And even if they do, you must ultimately depend primarily on your own strength."

Persistent Challenges and Fighting

The Paris talks were also notable owing to the presence 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.

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

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

The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukraine's military must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, rejecting any compromise over how to conclude hostilities.

The Ukrainian President has thus far rejected relinquishing any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an established line - but only if Russia did the same.

Russian forces now holds about 75% of the Donetsk region, and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts constitute the industrial Donbas region.

It has been intensifying attacks against Ukrainian cities - with a focus on energy infrastructure. Russia has also made incremental advances in seizing additional Ukrainian land.

Ukraine has hit back at objectives inside Russia with drones, albeit with more limited success.