UK and France Will Dispatch Military Personnel to Ukraine should a Peace Agreement is Agreed

The British and French governments have inked a memorandum of understanding concerning the deployment of troops in Ukraine in the event a ceasefire be made with Moscow, the British leader, Sir Keir Starmer, has declared.

Subsequent to discussions with allied nations in Paris, he said that the UK and France would "create military hubs in various parts of Ukraine and build fortified installations for military hardware and defense matériel" to deter any potential invasion.

The coalition members also put forward that the America would play the primary role in overseeing a truce.

Moscow has consistently cautioned that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has so far not responded on this latest declaration.

Background and Continuing War

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin initiated a major offensive of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russia presently occupies about 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

"This constitutes a crucial element of our vow to be alongside Ukraine for the long-term," stated Starmer.

Heads of state and senior officials from the "Partner Group" were involved in the recent discussions.

Addressing reporters at a joint press conference, the Prime Minister noted: "It creates the pathway for the juridical structure under which British, French, and partner forces could function on Ukrainian soil, defending Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's defense capabilities for the future."

The UK prime minister added that London would take part in any US-led confirmation of a prospective ceasefire.

Security Guarantees and Diplomatic Positions

Lead American diplomat Steve Witkoff stated that "lasting defense assurances and robust reconstruction vows are critical to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – referring to a central demand made by Kyiv.

He indicated the allies had "substantially agreed on" their work on finalizing such assurances "to ensure the citizens of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends for good."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, US President Donald Trump's special envoy, also participated in the talks.

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's supporters had made "major progress" at the meeting.

He added that "strong" security guarantees for the Ukrainian government had been agreed in the event of a prospective ceasefire.

President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "major development" had been made in the negotiations, but qualified that he would only view efforts to be "adequate" if they resulted in the cessation of the war.

Earlier, he indicated a peace agreement was "90% ready". Settling the remaining 10% would "determine the future of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Sovereign soil and security guarantees have been at the center of unresolved issues for diplomats.
• Moscow has often said that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will occupy it, dismissing any middle ground over how to end the war.
• Kyiv has to date ruled out ceding any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could move its forces to an designated point – but only if Russia does the same.

Russia presently controls approximately 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk region. The two regions form the industrial region of the Donbas.

The earlier US-led comprehensive proposal that was widely leaked to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its EU supporters as being strongly biased in Moscow's direction.

This sparked weeks of intensive negotiations – with all sides trying to revise the proposal.

Recently, Ukraine sent the US an updated 20-point plan – as well as distinct documents outlining possible security guarantees and arrangements for Ukraine's reconstruction, the President said.