UK and France Plan to Send Military Personnel to Ukraine in the event that a Peace Deal is Reached

The UK and France have formalized a declaration of intent concerning the positioning of military forces in Ukraine in the event a ceasefire be made with Russia, the UK Prime Minister, Starmer, has announced.

Following discussions with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he noted that the allies would "set up military hubs in various parts of Ukraine and erect fortified structures for military hardware and defense matériel" to prevent any subsequent incursion.

The partner countries also suggested that the United States would take the lead in overseeing a truce.

Russia has repeatedly cautioned that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has as yet not issued a statement on this latest development.

Background and Ongoing Hostilities

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Russia presently controls approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This represents an essential component of our vow to be alongside Ukraine for the duration," commented the British leader.

Heads of state and top officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" were involved in the Paris negotiations.

Addressing reporters at a combined announcement, the Prime Minister further said: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and restoring Ukraine's defense capabilities for the years ahead."

The PM added that London would participate in any Washington-directed confirmation of a prospective cessation of hostilities.

Security Guarantees and Diplomatic Positions

Senior Washington representative Steve Witkoff stated that "lasting security guarantees and robust reconstruction vows are vital to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – alluding to a major condition made by Ukraine.

The negotiator indicated the partner nations had "substantially agreed on" their work on establishing such pledges "in order that the Ukrainian people know that when this conflict ends, it ends forever."

The former US envoy, ex-President Donald Trump's special envoy, also took part in the talks.

Separately, President Macron Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's allies had made "significant advances" at the meeting.

He noted that "comprehensive" security guarantees for Ukraine had been settled upon in the event of a prospective ceasefire.

President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "major step forward" had been made in Paris, but cautioned that he would only consider efforts to be "adequate" if they led to the cessation of the war.

Recently, he indicated a settlement was "mostly finalized". Agreeing on the last 10% would "decide the fate of the agreement, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Sovereign soil and defense assurances have been at the forefront of ongoing disputes for negotiators.
• Moscow has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's forces must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, rejecting any middle ground over how to end the war.
• The Ukrainian President has so far excluded surrendering any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could move its troops to an designated point – but only if Russia does the same.

Russian forces presently occupies approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the bordering Luhansk region. The areas form the heartland of Donbas.

The original US-led comprehensive proposal that was widely leaked to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its partners in Europe as being strongly biased in Russia's favor.

This sparked a period of focused diplomacy – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to adjust the document.

Last month, The Ukrainian government submitted the US an new proposal – as well as separate documents outlining potential security guarantees and plans for Ukraine's recovery, he stated.