President Zelensky has stated that European allies have not given him concrete pledges that they will protect his country in the case of a new Russian aggression.
"I continue to pose this critical question to all our partners and thus far, the answer remains elusive a definitive and straightforward response yet," he told reporters on midweek.
These remarks follow a day after the UK and France signed a declaration of intent on deploying troops in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to conclude the conflict with Moscow is agreed.
However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The US, which has been spearheading initiatives to end the invasion, reportedly did not sign such a pledge 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, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the two nations would "set up operational bases 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 overseeing any ceasefire. 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 announcement made in the city of Paris.
President Putin initiated a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow now occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
Zelensky's Shifting Tone
Sir Keir described the bilateral declaration as "an essential component of our dedication to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future".
He added: "It establishes the pathway for the juridical structure under which British, French and partner forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the future."
Zelensky hailed that accord as a "huge step forward".
A day later, however, he seemed more cautious.
"I perceive the determination, the political will, and that the allies are prepared, and the allies are willing to give us robust economic measures, powerful defense assurances," he said when questioned if European countries would defend Ukraine.
"However, until we lack such security guarantees - formally ratified, endorsed by legislatures, backed by the U.S. Congress - this question remains unresolved. And should they materialize, you still have to rely primarily on your inherent capabilities."
Persistent Challenges and Fighting
Negotiations in Paris were also notable due to the attendance of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
One envoy stated the allies "mostly completed" their work on finalizing security arrangements.
Recently, the President indicated a peace deal was "90% ready".
Questions of land and defense pledges have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for negotiators.
Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the entirety of the Donbas region or Moscow will take control, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war.
The Ukrainian President has thus far rejected ceding any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could redeploy its forces to an agreed point - but only if Russia did the same.
Russian forces now holds about 75% of the Donetsk region, and some nearly all of the adjacent Luhansk region. The two regions form the industrial Donbas region.
Attacks have been escalating against cities in Ukraine - with a focus on energy infrastructure. Moscow is also achieving incremental advances in seizing additional Ukrainian land.
Ukrainian forces have retaliated at Russian targets with unmanned aerial vehicles, though with more limited success.
