Zelensky Expresses Concern Over Lack of Security Guarantees from Allies

Thu Jan 08 2026 22:04:03 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reveals that European allies have yet to provide definitive security assurances in light of potential Russian aggression, despite recent commitments from the UK and France.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly expressed his apprehension regarding the lack of clear security assurances from Western allies following the ongoing conflict with Russia. This statement follows a declaration made by the UK and France concerning the potential deployment of troops in Ukraine if peace is reached. While discussions among the Coalition of the Willing included security protocols, the absence of legally binding guarantees remains a pressing concern for Kyiv. Russia continues its military engagements in Ukraine, controlling about 20% of the territory.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says European allies have not given him sound guarantees that they will protect his country in the 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 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 neighboring Luhansk.