Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says European allies have failed to provide sound guarantees that they will defend Ukraine in the event of a fresh offensive by Russia.
"I continue to pose this critical question to every one of our allies and thus far, the answer remains elusive a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he told reporters on midweek.
These remarks follow a day after Britain and France inked a declaration of intent on deploying troops in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement to end the war with Russia is finalized.
However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The United States, which has been leading efforts to halt the offensive, reportedly did not sign such a commitment at discussions held in the French capital on Tuesday.
Following the negotiations in Paris, 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 prevent any future incursion, while French President Emmanuel Macron later said a significant number of soldiers may be deployed.
Allies proposed that the United States would assume a leading role in monitoring a truce. But the central sticking point of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being pressured to offer to Russia as a component of the settlement terms are still being discussed.
Moscow has not yet commented on the announcement made in the city of Paris.
President Putin initiated a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Russian forces now occupies about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory.
The UK Prime Minister characterized the bilateral declaration as "an essential component of our dedication to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future".
He continued: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which allied military personnel could function on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's military for the future."
The Ukrainian leader praised that agreement as a "significant leap of progress".
A day later, however, he appeared less optimistic.
"I see the will, the political will, and that the partners are ready, and the allies are willing to give us strong sanctions, powerful defense assurances," he said when questioned if European countries would come to Ukraine's aid.
"But as long as we don't have such binding security pacts - legally binding, endorsed by legislatures, backed by the U.S. Congress - this crucial issue cannot be answered. And should they materialize, you must ultimately depend primarily on your inherent capabilities."
The Paris talks were also notable due to the attendance of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
One envoy stated the participating countries "mostly completed" their work on agreeing security protocols.
Recently, Zelensky said a peace deal was "90% ready".
Questions of land and security guarantees have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for diplomats.
The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must pull back from the entirety of the Donbas region or Moscow will take control, dismissing potential concessions over how to end the war.
The Ukrainian President has thus far rejected ceding any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an established line - but provided that Russia reciprocated the action.
Moscow currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region, and some nearly all of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions constitute the industrial Donbas region.
Attacks have been escalating against cities in Ukraine - particularly targeting power facilities. Moscow is also achieving slow progress in seizing additional Ukrainian land.
Ukrainian forces have retaliated at objectives inside Russia with drones, though with varying degrees of effectiveness.
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