Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Asserts 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 defend Ukraine in the event of a fresh offensive by Russia.

"I am asking this very question to every one of our allies and I have not received a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he stated to the press on midweek.

These remarks follow a day after Britain and France signed a statement of purpose on stationing forces in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement 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, reportedly did not sign such a commitment at discussions held in the French capital on the previous day.

Outcomes from the Paris Discussions

Following the negotiations in Paris, which included some three dozen nations that comprise the group termed the 'Coalition of the Willing', UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the UK and France would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" to prevent any future incursion, while France's President Macron subsequently indicated thousands of troops may be sent.

Allies proposed that the United States would assume a leading role in monitoring a truce. But the key issue of ceding land 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 city of Paris.

President Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Moscow now occupies about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory.

The President's Evolving Stance

Sir Keir described the bilateral declaration as "a vital part of our commitment to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future".

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 regenerating Ukraine's military for the years to come."

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

A day later, however, he appeared less optimistic.

"I perceive the determination, 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 come to Ukraine's aid.

"However, until we don't have such security guarantees - legally binding, endorsed by legislatures, backed by the U.S. Congress - this crucial issue cannot be answered. And even if they do, you still have to rely first and foremost on your own strength."

Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict

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

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

Last week, Zelensky said a settlement was "ninety percent complete".

Questions of land and defense pledges have been at the forefront of outstanding matters for diplomats.

Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, dismissing potential concessions 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 agreed point - but provided that Russia reciprocated the action.

Russian forces currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk oblast, and some nearly all of the adjacent Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts form the Donbas industrial heartland.

Attacks have been escalating against Ukrainian cities - particularly targeting power facilities. Moscow is also achieving incremental advances in seizing additional Ukrainian land.

Ukrainian forces have retaliated at Russian targets with drones, albeit with more limited success.