Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky States Absence of Explicit Security Pledge from Allies

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says European allies have not given him concrete pledges that they will protect his country in the event of a fresh offensive by Russia.

"I continue to pose this critical question to every one of our allies 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 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 not been agreed. The US, which has been spearheading initiatives to end the invasion, reportedly did not sign such a commitment at talks in Paris on Tuesday.

Outcomes from the Paris Discussions

Following the negotiations in Paris, which involved some three dozen nations that form the so-called 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 later said thousands of troops may be sent.

Allies proposed that the United States would assume a leading role in monitoring a truce. But the central sticking point of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as part of the peace proposals are still being discussed.

Moscow has not yet commented on the declaration made in the French capital.

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

The President's Evolving Stance

The UK Prime Minister characterized 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 function on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the years to come."

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

Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he appeared less optimistic.

"I see the will, the political will, and that the allies are prepared, and the allies are willing to give us strong sanctions, strong security guarantees," he said when asked if nations in Europe would come to Ukraine's aid.

"But as long as we don't have such binding security pacts - formally ratified, endorsed by legislatures, backed by the U.S. Congress - this crucial issue cannot be answered. And should they materialize, you still have to rely primarily on your own strength."

Persistent Challenges and Fighting

The Paris talks were also notable owing to the presence of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.

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

Recently, Zelensky said a settlement was "90% ready".

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

Putin has repeatedly warned 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.

Zelensky has so far ruled out ceding any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an agreed point - but only if Russia reciprocated the action.

Moscow currently controls about three-quarters of the Donetsk oblast, and some nearly all of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the Donbas industrial heartland.

Attacks have been escalating against Ukrainian cities - particularly targeting energy infrastructure. Moscow is also achieving slow progress in seizing additional Ukrainian land.

Ukrainian forces have retaliated at objectives inside Russia with drones, though with varying degrees of effectiveness.