Zelensky says Ukraine has not received clear security commitments from allies

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said European allies have yet to provide him with credible assurances that they will protect Ukraine in the event of a new deal with Russia.

“I’m asking this question to all of our partners, but I haven’t received a clear, unequivocal answer,” he told reporters on Wednesday.

His comments came a day after Britain and France signed a statement of intent to deploy troops to Ukraine if a peace deal is reached to end the war with Russia.

But comprehensive safety guarantees have yet to be agreed upon. The United States, which has been leading efforts to end the invasion, reportedly did not sign such a pledge at Tuesday’s Paris talks.

After the Paris talks, around 30 countries formed a so-called “coalition of the willing”, with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer saying Britain and France would “set up military hubs across Ukraine” to deter future invasions, while French President Emmanuel Macron later said thousands of troops could be deployed.

Allies suggested that the United States take the lead in overseeing the armistice. But the key issue of territorial concessions that Ukraine is required to make to Russia as part of the peace proposal remains under discussion.

Moscow has yet to comment on the French capital’s statement.

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow currently controls about 20% of Ukraine’s territory.

Sir Keir described the joint statement as “an important part of our long-term commitment to stand with Ukraine”.

He added: “This paves the way for British, French and partner forces to operate on Ukrainian territory, secure Ukraine’s skies and seas, and rebuild the legal framework for the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the future.”

Zelensky hailed the agreement as “a big step forward.”

A day later, however, he seemed less optimistic.

Asked whether European countries would defend Ukraine, he said: “I see the will, the political will, the partners are ready, they are ready to provide us with strong sanctions and strong security guarantees.”

“But as long as we don’t have such security guarantees – legally binding, backed by parliament, backed by the United States Congress – that question cannot be answered. And even if there are, you still have to rely largely on your own.”

The Paris talks also featured the presence of US President Donald Trump’s peace envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Witkov said the allies were “essentially done” in agreeing on a security deal.

last week, Zelensky says peace deal ‘90% ready’.

Territorial concessions and security guarantees have been the top unresolved issues for negotiators.

Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must withdraw all troops from Donbas in eastern Ukraine, otherwise Russia will seize the area. Refuse to make any compromise on how to end the war.

Zelensky has so far ruled out ceding any territory but has suggested Ukraine could withdraw its troops to agreed locations, but only if Russia does the same.

Moscow currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region and about 99% of the neighboring Lugansk region. These two regions make up the Donbas Industrial Zone.

It has been stepping up attacks on Ukrainian cities, particularly targeting energy infrastructure. Russia has also been slow to seize more Ukrainian territory.

Ukraine has fired back at Russian targets with drones, albeit with more limited success.