Zelensky Declares He Lacks Explicit Defense Guarantee from Partner Nations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him solid assurances that they will defend Ukraine in the case of a fresh offensive by Russia.

"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 the UK and France inked a statement of purpose on stationing forces in Ukraine if a peace deal to conclude the conflict with Moscow is agreed.

However, full security guarantees have yet to be solidified. The United States, which has been leading efforts to halt the offensive, was reported to have abstained from signing such a pledge at talks in Paris on the previous day.

Details of the Paris Talks

After the Paris talks, which involved some 30 countries that form the so-called Coalition of the Willing, British PM Keir Starmer said the two nations would "set up operational bases across Ukraine" to prevent any future incursion, while French President Emmanuel Macron later said thousands of troops may be deployed.

Partner nations suggested that the US 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 part of the peace proposals are still being discussed.

Moscow has thus far remained silent on the announcement made in the city of Paris.

Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Moscow now occupies about 20% of Ukraine's land.

The President's Evolving Stance

The UK Prime Minister characterized the joint statement as "an essential component of our dedication to stand with Ukraine for the long-term".

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

The Ukrainian leader praised that agreement as a "huge step forward".

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

"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 questioned if European countries would defend Ukraine.

"However, until we don't have such binding security pacts - legally binding, endorsed by legislatures, backed by the U.S. Congress - this question cannot be answered. And should they materialize, you must ultimately depend first and foremost on your own strength."

Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict

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

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

Last week, Zelensky said 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 Ukraine's military must pull back from the entirety of the Donbas region or Moscow will take control, dismissing potential concessions over how to conclude hostilities.

The Ukrainian President has thus far rejected relinquishing any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an established line - but only if Russia did the same.

Moscow now holds about three-quarters of the Donetsk region, and some nearly all of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the industrial Donbas region.

It has been intensifying attacks against cities in Ukraine - particularly targeting power facilities. Russia has also made incremental advances in seizing additional Ukrainian land.

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