Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Asserts He Lacks Explicit Security Pledge from Partner Nations

President Zelensky has stated that Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him concrete pledges that they will defend Ukraine in the case 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 Britain and France signed 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 US, which has been spearheading initiatives 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

After the Paris talks, which included some three dozen nations that comprise the so-called Coalition of the Willing, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the two nations would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to prevent any future incursion, while French President Emmanuel Macron subsequently indicated a significant number of soldiers may be sent.

Partner nations suggested that the United States would assume a leading role in overseeing any ceasefire. 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 announcement made in the city of Paris.

President Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Russian forces currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

The President's Evolving Stance

Sir Keir described the joint statement as "a vital part of our dedication to stand with Ukraine for the long-term".

He added: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which British, French and partner forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the years to come."

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

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

"I see the will, the political resolve, and that the partners are ready, and the partners are ready to give us strong sanctions, powerful defense assurances," he said when asked if nations in Europe would come to Ukraine's aid.

"But as long as we don't have such security guarantees - formally ratified, endorsed by legislatures, supported by the United States Congress - this question remains unresolved. And should they materialize, you still have to rely first and foremost on your inherent capabilities."

Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict

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

One envoy stated the participating countries "mostly completed" their work on agreeing security protocols.

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

Territorial concessions and security guarantees have been at the center of outstanding matters for diplomats.

Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must withdraw 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 relinquishing any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point - but provided that Russia did the same.

Russian forces currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region, and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the Donbas industrial heartland.

It has been intensifying attacks against Ukrainian cities - particularly targeting energy infrastructure. Moscow is also achieving slow progress in capturing more Ukrainian territory.

Ukrainian forces have retaliated at Russian targets with unmanned aerial vehicles, albeit with varying degrees of effectiveness.