Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says European allies have failed to provide concrete pledges that they will protect his country in the case of a fresh offensive by Russia.
"I continue to pose this critical question to all our partners and I have not received a clear, unambiguous answer yet," he stated to the press 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 conclude the conflict with Moscow is finalized.
However, full security guarantees have not been agreed. The United States, which has been leading efforts to end the invasion, was reported to have abstained from signing such a pledge at talks in Paris on the previous day.
Following the negotiations in Paris, which involved some three dozen nations that form the group termed the '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 subsequently indicated a significant number of soldiers may be deployed.
Allies proposed that the United States would take the lead in overseeing any ceasefire. But the key issue of territorial concessions that Ukraine is being pressured to offer to Russia as part of the peace proposals are still being discussed.
The Russian government has thus far remained silent on the announcement made in the French capital.
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the early months of 2022, and Moscow currently controls about one-fifth of Ukraine's land.
Sir Keir described the bilateral declaration as "an essential component of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the long-term".
He continued: "It paves the way 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 military for the future."
Zelensky hailed that accord as a "huge step forward".
Twenty-four hours afterward, however, he appeared less optimistic.
"I perceive the determination, the political resolve, and that the partners are ready, and the partners are ready to give us strong sanctions, strong security guarantees," he said when questioned if European countries would defend Ukraine.
"However, until we lack such security guarantees - legally binding, supported by parliaments, supported by the United States Congress - this question remains unresolved. And even if they do, you must ultimately depend primarily on your inherent capabilities."
Negotiations in Paris were also significant owing to the attendance of US President Donald Trump's peace envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
One envoy stated the participating countries "mostly completed" their work on agreeing security protocols.
Last week, the President indicated a settlement was "90% ready".
Territorial concessions and defense pledges have been at the center of unresolved issues for negotiators.
Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must pull back from the entirety of the Donbas region or Russia will seize it, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war.
Zelensky has so far ruled out relinquishing any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an established line - but provided that Russia reciprocated the action.
Russian forces now holds about three-quarters of the Donetsk region, and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions constitute the industrial Donbas region.
Attacks have been escalating against cities in Ukraine - particularly targeting power facilities. Russia has also made 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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