Zelensky Wants ‘Clear, Unequivocal Answer’ From Europe on Post-War Security Guarantees

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday that he is still waiting for a clear guarantee from European allies that they would intervene should Russia breach the terms of a peace deal.

At a summit of Ukraine’s “Coalition of the Willing” allies in Paris on Tuesday, the UK and France signed a declaration of intent to deploy troops to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal with Russia – a move described by Zelensky at the time as a “huge step forward.”

Asked whether he could be sure that his European allies would step in in the event of a new Russian aggression, however, Zelensky said that he could not answer.

“I personally very much want to get a very simple answer: yes, if there is aggression again, all partners will give a strong response to the Russians. And that’s the exact question I put to all our partners. And so far I haven’t received a clear, unequivocal answer,” he told reporters, as per AFP.

Under the terms of Tuesday’s agreement, the UK and France plan to set up “military hubs” across Ukraine in order to assist with Ukraine’s postwar reconstruction and coordinate troops on the ground in the event of another Russian invasion.

However, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged that British lawmakers would get a vote on the deployment of troops to Ukraine, as per the BBC. Starmer has also declined to say how many troops would be deployed, while French President Emmanuel Macron has simply said that France would contribute “thousands” of soldiers.

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Zelensky Calls for ‘Decisive’ G7 Response After Russian Strikes

Zelensky called on G7 leaders to deliver a “decisive and meaningful” response to Russia following a massive overnight barrage across Ukraine. The strikes killed at least nine people in Kyiv and Kharkiv, injured scores more, and damaged historic, civilian and transport infrastructure in several regions.

The Kremlin has rejected the idea of a European or NATO reassurance force in Ukraine on several previous occasions. 

“If some troops appear [in Ukraine], especially now during the fighting, we proceed from the premise that they will be legitimate targets,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said in September 2025.