President Zelensky has stated that Ukraine's partners in Europe have not given him concrete pledges that they will defend Ukraine in the event of a new Russian aggression.
"I continue to pose this critical question to all our partners and I have not received a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he stated to the press on Wednesday.
These remarks follow a day after the UK and France inked a declaration of intent on stationing forces in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to conclude the conflict with Moscow is finalized.
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 commitment at discussions held in the French capital on Tuesday.
Following the negotiations in Paris, which involved 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 "set up operational bases across Ukraine" to deter future invasion, while France's President Macron subsequently indicated thousands of troops may be deployed.
Allies proposed that the US would take the lead in overseeing any ceasefire. But the key issue of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being pressured to offer to Russia as part of the peace proposals are continuing to be negotiated.
Moscow has thus far remained silent on the declaration made in the city of Paris.
Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow currently controls about one-fifth of Ukraine's land.
Sir Keir described the bilateral declaration as "an essential component of our commitment to support Ukraine for the long-term".
He continued: "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 years to come."
Zelensky hailed 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 allies are willing to give us strong sanctions, strong security guarantees," he said when asked if nations in Europe would defend Ukraine.
"However, until we don't have such security guarantees - legally binding, endorsed by legislatures, supported by the United States Congress - this question cannot be answered. And should they materialize, you must ultimately depend primarily on your own strength."
The Paris talks were also notable owing to the attendance of envoys from former President Trump's administration, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Witkoff said the participating countries "mostly completed" their work on agreeing security protocols.
Recently, Zelensky said a settlement was "90% ready".
Questions of land and defense pledges have been at the forefront of outstanding matters for diplomats.
Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's military must withdraw from the entirety of the Donbas region or Russia will seize it, dismissing potential concessions over how to conclude hostilities.
Zelensky has so far ruled out relinquishing any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point - but provided that Russia did the same.
Russian forces now holds about 75% of the Donetsk region, and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions form the industrial Donbas region.
It has been intensifying attacks against Ukrainian cities - with a focus on power facilities. Moscow is also achieving slow progress in seizing additional Ukrainian land.
Ukraine has hit back at Russian targets with drones, albeit with more limited success.
Elara Vance is a dedicated MapleStory enthusiast and gaming writer, known for creating in-depth guides and staying updated on game mechanics.
