Zelensky States Absence of Clear Security Pledge from European Partners

President Zelensky has stated that Ukraine's partners in Europe have failed to provide 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 midweek.

His comments come 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, full security guarantees have yet to be solidified. The United States, which has been leading efforts 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 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 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 declaration made in the city of Paris.

Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces currently controls about 20% of Ukraine's land.

Zelensky's Shifting Tone

Sir Keir described the bilateral declaration as "an essential component of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the long-term".

He added: "It establishes the pathway for the juridical structure under which allied military personnel could operate on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's military for the years to come."

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

A day later, 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 robust economic measures, strong security guarantees," he said when questioned if European countries would come to Ukraine's aid.

"But as long as we lack such security guarantees - formally ratified, supported by parliaments, backed by the U.S. Congress - this question cannot be answered. And even if they do, you still have to rely primarily on your inherent capabilities."

Persistent Challenges and Fighting

The Paris talks were also notable due to the presence of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Witkoff said the allies "largely finished" their work on finalizing security arrangements.

Last week, Zelensky said a settlement was "90% ready".

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

The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukraine's military must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Moscow will take control, dismissing potential concessions over how to end the war.

The Ukrainian President has thus far rejected relinquishing any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an agreed point - but provided that Russia did the same.

Moscow now holds about 75% of the Donetsk region, and some nearly all of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions constitute the industrial Donbas region.

It has been intensifying attacks against cities in Ukraine - with a focus on power facilities. Moscow is also achieving incremental advances in capturing more Ukrainian territory.

Ukrainian forces have retaliated at Russian targets with drones, though with more limited success.