Zelensky States Absence of Explicit Defense Guarantee from Allies

President Zelensky has stated that Ukraine's partners in Europe have failed to provide solid assurances that they will protect his country in the event of a future Russian attack.

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

These remarks follow a day after the UK and France signed a declaration of intent on stationing forces in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to conclude the conflict with Moscow is reached.

However, comprehensive defense assurances 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 the previous day.

Outcomes from the Paris Discussions

After the Paris talks, which included some 30 countries that form the so-called 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 a significant number of soldiers may be deployed.

Allies proposed 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 continuing to be negotiated.

Moscow has thus far remained silent on the declaration made in the French capital.

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Russian forces currently controls about one-fifth of Ukraine's land.

The President's Evolving Stance

The UK Prime Minister characterized the bilateral declaration as "an essential component of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the long-term".

He continued: "It establishes the pathway for the legal framework under which British, French and partner forces could function on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the years to come."

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

A day later, however, he seemed more cautious.

"I see the will, the political resolve, and that the allies are prepared, and the partners are ready to give us strong sanctions, strong security guarantees," he said when questioned if European countries would come to Ukraine's aid.

"However, until we lack such security guarantees - formally ratified, endorsed by legislatures, supported by the United States Congress - this question cannot be answered. And should they materialize, you still have to rely first and foremost on your inherent capabilities."

Unresolved Issues and Ongoing Conflict

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

One envoy stated the participating countries "mostly completed" their work on finalizing security arrangements.

Last week, the President indicated a peace deal was "ninety percent complete".

Territorial concessions and security guarantees have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for negotiators.

The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Moscow will take control, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war.

The Ukrainian President has thus far rejected relinquishing any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an agreed point - but only if Russia did the same.

Russian forces currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region, and some nearly all of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions form the industrial Donbas region.

It has been intensifying attacks against Ukrainian cities - with a focus on energy infrastructure. Russia has also made incremental advances in capturing more Ukrainian territory.

Ukraine has hit back at objectives inside Russia with drones, albeit with more limited success.