The United Kingdom and France Plan to Send Forces to Ukraine should a Peace Deal is Finalized

The UK and France have inked a declaration of intent concerning the positioning of troops in Ukraine in the event a ceasefire be struck with Russia, the Prime Minister of Britain, Keir Starmer, has stated.

Following discussions with Kyiv's partners in the French capital, he indicated that the allies would "create operational bases throughout Ukraine and construct fortified installations for military hardware and defense matériel" to prevent any future invasion.

The allied nations also proposed that the US would assume leadership in overseeing a truce.

The Kremlin has repeatedly stated that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has as yet not commented on this recent announcement.

The Situation and Ongoing Conflict

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Russia currently controls approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This is a vital part of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future," remarked Starmer.

Heads of state and high-ranking officials from the "Partner Group" participated in the Paris negotiations.

He stated at a combined announcement, Starmer added: "It creates the pathway for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could work on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukraine's airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's defense capabilities for the time to come."

The UK prime minister went on to say that Britain would be involved in any American-headed verification of a possible truce.

Protection Pledges and Negotiation Stances

Lead US negotiator Steve Witkoff stated that "long-term safety pledges and robust economic promises are vital to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – alluding to a major demand made by Kyiv.

Witkoff indicated the allies had "largely finished" their work on agreeing such assurances "in order that the citizens of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends forever."

Jared Kushner, former American President Donald Trump's advisor, also took part in the discussions.

Separately, President Macron Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's partners had made "significant advances" at the talks.

He noted that "strong" security guarantees for Ukraine had been settled upon in the instance of a potential ceasefire.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "huge step forward" had been made in the negotiations, but added that he would only consider efforts to be "adequate" if they resulted in the end of the war.

Recently, the Ukrainian leader suggested a peace deal was "largely prepared". Finalizing the outstanding 10% would "determine the outcome of the peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Sovereign soil and security guarantees have been at the heart of ongoing disputes for the parties involved.
• Moscow has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, dismissing any concession over how to end the war.
• Zelensky has to date excluded giving up any land, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could pull back its forces to an designated point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Russia presently occupies approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the adjacent Luhansk. The two regions form the heartland of the Donbas.

The initial US-led 28-point peace plan that was widely leaked to the media last year was perceived by Ukraine and its European allies as being strongly biased in Moscow's direction.

This led to a period of focused discussions – with all sides trying to revise the draft.

Recently, Kyiv presented the US an new proposal – as well as distinct documents outlining prospective defense assurances and plans for Ukraine's recovery, Zelensky said.