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

President Zelensky has stated that European allies have not given him solid assurances that they will defend Ukraine in the event of a future Russian attack.

"I am asking this very 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 declaration of intent on deploying troops in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to end the war with Russia is agreed.

However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The US, which has been leading efforts to end the invasion, was reported to have abstained from signing such a commitment at discussions held in the French capital on Tuesday.

Outcomes from the Paris Discussions

After the Paris talks, which involved some 30 countries that comprise the so-called Coalition of the Willing, British PM Keir Starmer said the two nations would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, while France's President Macron subsequently indicated thousands of troops may be deployed.

Partner nations suggested that the US would take the lead in monitoring a truce. But the central sticking point of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being asked to grant to Russia as a component of the settlement terms are still being discussed.

The Russian government has not yet commented on the declaration made in the city of Paris.

President Putin launched a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Moscow currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

The President's Evolving Stance

Sir Keir described the joint statement as "an essential component of our commitment to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future".

He continued: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French and partner forces could function on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and rebuilding 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 seemed more cautious.

"I see the will, the political will, and that the partners are ready, and the partners are ready to give us robust economic measures, powerful defense assurances," he said when asked if nations in Europe would defend Ukraine.

"However, until we lack such binding security pacts - legally binding, endorsed by legislatures, backed by the U.S. Congress - this question cannot be answered. And even if they do, you must ultimately depend first and foremost on your inherent capabilities."

Persistent Challenges and Fighting

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

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

Recently, the President indicated a settlement was "90% ready".

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

The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must pull back from the entirety of the Donbas region or Moscow will take control, rejecting any compromise over how to conclude hostilities.

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

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

Attacks have been escalating against Ukrainian cities - particularly targeting energy infrastructure. Russia has also made slow progress in seizing additional Ukrainian land.

Ukraine has hit back at objectives inside Russia with unmanned aerial vehicles, though with varying degrees of effectiveness.