Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Asserts Absence of Explicit Security Pledge from European Partners

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him concrete pledges that they will defend Ukraine in the case of a new Russian aggression.

"I am asking this very question to all our partners and thus far, the answer remains elusive a definitive and straightforward response 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 should a ceasefire agreement to conclude the conflict with Moscow is agreed.

However, comprehensive defense assurances have not been agreed. The US, which has been spearheading initiatives to end the invasion, reportedly did not sign such a pledge 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', UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the UK and France would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to prevent any future incursion, while France's President Macron subsequently indicated thousands of troops may be sent.

Allies proposed that the US would take the lead in monitoring a truce. But the key issue of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being pressured to offer to Russia as part of the peace proposals are still being discussed.

The Russian government has thus far remained silent on the declaration made in the city of Paris.

President Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces now occupies about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory.

Zelensky's Shifting Tone

Sir Keir described the bilateral declaration as "a vital part of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the long-term".

He added: "It establishes the pathway for the legal framework under which British, French and partner forces could operate on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces 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 allies are willing to give us robust economic measures, powerful defense assurances," he said when questioned if European countries would defend Ukraine.

"But as long as we lack such binding security pacts - legally binding, supported by parliaments, supported by the United States Congress - this crucial issue cannot be answered. And should they materialize, you must ultimately depend first and foremost on your inherent capabilities."

Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict

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

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

Last week, the President indicated a peace deal was "90% ready".

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

The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must pull back from the entirety of the Donbas region or Moscow will take control, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war.

The Ukrainian President has thus far rejected ceding any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an agreed point - but provided that Russia reciprocated the action.

Moscow now holds about three-quarters of the Donetsk oblast, 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 - particularly targeting power facilities. Moscow is also achieving incremental advances in seizing additional Ukrainian land.

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