Britain and France to Deploy Forces to Ukraine if a Peace Agreement is Agreed

The London and Paris have inked a memorandum of understanding concerning the stationing of troops in the nation if a peace agreement be struck with Russia, the Prime Minister of Britain, Sir Keir Starmer, has declared.

Following discussions with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he indicated that the allies would "create military hubs across Ukraine and construct fortified facilities for weapons and equipment" to prevent any subsequent incursion.

The coalition members also suggested that the US would play the primary role in overseeing a truce.

Moscow has repeatedly stated that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has so far not issued a statement on this recent declaration.

Context and Continuing Hostilities

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a major offensive of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russia currently holds about 20% of the country's land.

"This represents an essential component of our pledge to be alongside Ukraine for the long-term," remarked Starmer.

Heads of state and top officials from the "Partner Group" participated in Tuesday's talks.

Addressing reporters at a joint press conference, Starmer noted: "It establishes the framework for the legal framework under which allied and coalition forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukraine's skies and seas, and restoring Ukraine's military for the years ahead."

The UK prime minister also stated that the UK would take part in any American-headed verification of a potential truce.

Protection Pledges and Negotiation Stances

Top Washington representative Steve Witkoff remarked that "durable safety pledges and strong economic promises are essential to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – referring to a key condition made by Ukraine.

The negotiator noted the allies had "mostly completed" their work on agreeing such assurances "to ensure the people of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends for good."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, former American President Donald Trump's advisor, also was involved in the negotiations.

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's partners had made "significant headway" at the negotiations.

He added that "strong" safety pledges for Kyiv had been settled upon in the event of a potential ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "huge development" had been made in the negotiations, but cautioned that he would only consider efforts to be "sufficient" if they culminated in the conclusion of the conflict.

Recently, Zelensky said a peace deal was "mostly finalized". Finalizing the remaining 10% would "decide the future of the agreement, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Sovereign soil and defense assurances have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for diplomats.
• The Russian President has often said that Ukrainian troops must pull back from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, rejecting any concession over how to finish the war.
• Kyiv has thus far excluded ceding any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could pull back its troops to an agreed point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Russian forces currently controls approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the bordering Luhansk region. The areas form the heartland of the Donbas.

The initial US-led comprehensive proposal that was widely leaked to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its European allies as being heavily skewed in Moscow's direction.

This sparked a period of intensive diplomacy – with the involved parties trying to adjust the draft.

The previous month, Kyiv sent the US an new proposal – as well as additional documents outlining prospective defense assurances and arrangements for Ukraine's reconstruction, he said.