Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says European allies have failed to provide concrete pledges that they will protect his country in the case of a new Russian aggression.
"I continue to pose this critical question to every one of our allies and thus far, the answer remains elusive a definitive and straightforward response yet," he stated to the press on midweek.
His comments come a day after Britain 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, comprehensive defense assurances have yet to be solidified. The US, which has been leading efforts to end the invasion, was reported to have abstained from signing such a pledge at discussions held in the French capital on the previous day.
Following the negotiations in Paris, which involved some three dozen nations that comprise 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 prevent any future incursion, while France's President Macron later said a significant number of soldiers may be deployed.
Allies proposed that the US would assume a leading role in monitoring a truce. But the key issue 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 thus far remained silent on the declaration made in the French capital.
President Putin launched a comprehensive military assault of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Moscow currently controls about one-fifth of Ukraine's land.
The UK Prime Minister characterized the joint statement as "an essential component of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the long-term".
He added: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French and partner forces could function on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukrainian airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the years to come."
The Ukrainian leader praised that agreement as a "huge step forward".
A day later, 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 robust economic measures, strong security guarantees," he said when asked if nations in Europe would come to Ukraine's aid.
"However, until we don't have such security guarantees - legally binding, supported by parliaments, supported by the United States Congress - this question remains unresolved. And should they materialize, you still have to rely primarily on your inherent capabilities."
Negotiations in Paris were also significant due to the presence of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
One envoy stated the participating countries "largely finished" their work on agreeing security protocols.
Last week, Zelensky said a settlement was "ninety percent complete".
Questions of land and security guarantees have been at the center of outstanding matters for diplomats.
The Russian leader has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the entirety of the Donbas region or Russia will seize it, rejecting any compromise over how to conclude hostilities.
Zelensky has so far ruled out ceding any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point - but provided that Russia reciprocated the action.
Moscow now holds about 75% of the Donetsk region, and some nearly all of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts constitute the Donbas industrial heartland.
Attacks have been escalating against Ukrainian cities - with a focus on energy infrastructure. Moscow is also achieving slow progress in capturing more Ukrainian territory.
Ukrainian forces have retaliated at objectives inside Russia with drones, though with more limited success.
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