In brief
During a press conference, President Zelensky voiced his concerns regarding the lack of clear security guarantees from European partners amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia. Despite a recent declaration by the UK and France to establish military hubs in Ukraine, Zelensky emphasized the need for legally binding assurances from allies, particularly from the US Congress. The discussions aimed at a potential peace deal continue to face challenges, notably regarding territorial concessions to Russia, as Moscow maintains control over significant portions of Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says European allies have not given him sound guarantees that they will protect his country in case of a new Russian aggression.
I am asking this very question to all our partners and I have not received a clear, unambiguous answer yet, he told reporters on Wednesday.
His comments come a day after the UK and France signed a declaration of intent on deploying troops in Ukraine if a peace deal to end the war with Russia is agreed.
But full security guarantees have not been agreed. The US, which has been leading efforts to end the invasion, reportedly did not sign such a pledge at talks in Paris on Tuesday.
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 UK and France would establish military hubs across Ukraine to deter future invasion, while French President Emmanuel Macron later said thousands of troops may be deployed.
Allies proposed that the US would take the lead in monitoring a truce. But the key issue of territorial concessions 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 announcement made in the French capital.
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
Last week, Zelensky said a peace deal was 90% ready. Territorial concessions and security guarantees have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for negotiators.
Zelensky has so far ruled out ceding any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point - but only if Russia did the same.
Moscow currently controls 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 - particularly targeting energy infrastructure. Russia has also made slow progress in capturing more Ukrainian territory.
Ukraine has hit back at Russian targets with drones, albeit with more limited success.
