The United Kingdom and France Will Dispatch Forces to the Country should a Peace Agreement is Agreed

The British and French governments have signed a declaration of intent concerning the stationing of armed personnel in the nation if a ceasefire be struck with Moscow, the Prime Minister of Britain, Keir Starmer, has announced.

Following negotiations with Kyiv's partners in Paris, he indicated that the two nations would "set up military hubs throughout Ukraine and construct secure structures for arms and military equipment" to prevent any future invasion.

The partner countries also put forward that the United States would take the lead in overseeing a halt in hostilities.

The Kremlin has on multiple occasions warned that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has so far not issued a statement on this new announcement.

Context and Continuing Conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin began a major offensive of Ukraine in early 2022, and Moscow presently holds approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This represents an essential component of our pledge to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future," stated the UK Prime Minister.

National leaders and high-ranking officials from the "Allied Coalition" were involved in the recent discussions.

He stated at a joint press conference, the Prime Minister further said: "It establishes the framework for the juridical structure under which British, French, and partner forces could function on Ukrainian soil, defending Ukraine's airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's defense capabilities for the years ahead."

The British leader also stated that Britain would be involved in any American-headed verification of a potential cessation of hostilities.

Security Guarantees and Diplomatic Positions

Top US negotiator Steve Witkoff stated that "long-term defense assurances and strong economic promises are essential to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – referring to a major demand made by Kyiv.

He indicated the coalition had "mostly completed" their work on finalizing such guarantees "in order that the citizens of Ukraine know that when this hostilities ends, it ends forever."

The former US envoy, former American President Donald Trump's advisor, also was involved in the discussions.

At the same time, French President Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's partners had made "considerable headway" at the talks.

He added that "robust" safety pledges for the Ukrainian government had been reached in the case of a prospective truce.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "significant development" had been made in the talks, but qualified that he would only consider efforts to be "adequate" if they resulted in the conclusion of the war.

Last week, Zelensky suggested a peace deal was "mostly finalized". Agreeing on the remaining 10% would "shape the fate of the peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Land and security guarantees have been at the center of ongoing disputes for the parties involved.
• The Russian President has repeatedly warned that Kyiv's military must retreat from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, refusing any compromise over how to finish the war.
• Zelensky has thus far ruled out giving up any land, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could pull back its troops to an agreed point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Russia presently occupies about 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the bordering Luhansk region. The two regions form the industrial region of Donbas.

The initial US-led 28-point peace plan that was widely leaked to the media last year was viewed by Kyiv and its EU supporters as being disproportionately favorable in Russia's direction.

This led to a period of high-level diplomacy – with all sides trying to adjust the draft.

Recently, Kyiv sent the US an updated framework – as well as separate documents outlining possible security guarantees and provisions for Ukraine's rebuilding, Zelensky added.