Zelensky Declares Absence of Explicit Security Pledge from Allies

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

"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 midweek.

His comments come a day after Britain and France inked a statement of purpose on deploying troops in Ukraine if a peace deal to end the war with Russia is reached.

However, comprehensive defense assurances 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 pledge at talks in Paris on Tuesday.

Details of the Paris Talks

After the Paris talks, which involved some three dozen nations that comprise the group termed the 'Coalition of the Willing', British PM Keir Starmer said the two nations would "set up operational bases across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, while France's President Macron subsequently indicated a significant number of soldiers may be sent.

Partner nations suggested that the United States would take the lead in overseeing any ceasefire. But the key issue of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being pressured to offer 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 launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces now occupies about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory.

The President's Evolving Stance

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

He added: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which allied military personnel could function on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the future."

The Ukrainian leader praised that agreement 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 European countries would come to Ukraine's aid.

"But as long as we don't have such security guarantees - legally binding, endorsed by legislatures, supported by the United States Congress - this crucial issue remains unresolved. And even if they do, you still have to rely primarily on your own strength."

Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict

Negotiations in Paris were also notable owing to the presence of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, 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".

Questions of land and defense pledges have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for diplomats.

Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Moscow will take control, rejecting any compromise over how to conclude hostilities.

Zelensky has so far ruled out ceding any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an established line - but provided that 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.

It has been intensifying attacks against cities in Ukraine - particularly targeting power facilities. Russia has also made slow progress in capturing more Ukrainian territory.

Ukraine has hit back at objectives inside Russia with drones, albeit with varying degrees of effectiveness.