Zelensky Declares He Lacks Definitive Security Pledge from European Partners

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's partners in Europe have failed to provide concrete pledges that they will defend Ukraine in the event of a fresh offensive by Russia.

"I am asking this very question to all our partners and I have not received a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he told reporters on midweek.

His comments come a day after the UK and France inked a declaration of intent on stationing forces in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to end the war with Russia is finalized.

However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The US, which has been leading efforts to halt the offensive, was reported to have abstained from signing such a pledge at talks in Paris on Tuesday.

Outcomes from the Paris Discussions

After the Paris talks, which included some three dozen nations that form the group termed the 'Coalition of the Willing', British PM Keir Starmer said the UK and France would "set up operational bases across Ukraine" to prevent any future incursion, while French President Emmanuel Macron subsequently indicated thousands of troops may be sent.

Partner nations suggested that the US would take the lead in overseeing any ceasefire. But the key issue of ceding land 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 declaration made in the city of Paris.

President Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces now occupies about 20% of Ukraine's land.

Zelensky's Shifting Tone

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

He added: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French and partner forces could operate on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the future."

Zelensky hailed that agreement as a "huge step forward".

A day later, however, he seemed more cautious.

"I perceive the determination, the political will, and that the allies are prepared, and the partners are ready to give us strong sanctions, powerful defense assurances," he said when asked if European countries would defend Ukraine.

"But as long as we lack such security guarantees - legally binding, 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 own strength."

Persistent Challenges and Fighting

Negotiations in Paris were also significant owing to the attendance of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.

One envoy stated the participating countries "largely finished" their work on agreeing security protocols.

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

Questions of land and defense pledges have been at the center of outstanding matters for negotiators.

Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the entirety of the Donbas region or Russia will seize it, dismissing potential concessions over how to end the war.

The Ukrainian President has thus far rejected ceding any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an established line - but provided that Russia reciprocated the action.

Moscow now holds about three-quarters of the Donetsk region, and some nearly all of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts constitute 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 Russian targets with unmanned aerial vehicles, albeit with more limited success.