UK and France Plan to Send Forces to Ukraine in the event that a Peace Agreement is Finalized

The UK and France have formalized a statement of purpose concerning the stationing of troops in the nation in the event a ceasefire be concluded with Russia, the British leader, Sir Keir Starmer, has announced.

After discussions with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he noted that the UK and France would "create defense centers across Ukraine and build secure facilities for military hardware and equipment" to discourage any subsequent invasion.

The allied nations also put forward that the America would assume leadership in verifying a ceasefire.

Russia has consistently warned that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has so far not responded on this new declaration.

Context and Ongoing Conflict

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, and Russian forces presently holds about 20% of the country's land.

"This represents an essential component of our vow to stand with Ukraine for the duration," commented the UK Prime Minister.

Heads of state and high-ranking officials from the "Allied Coalition" took part in the Paris negotiations.

Speaking at a shared media briefing, Starmer further said: "It establishes the framework for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on Ukraine's territory, defending Ukraine's airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the future."

The British leader went on to say that the UK would take part in any Washington-directed verification of a potential cessation of hostilities.

Defense Assurances and Diplomatic Positions

Senior Washington representative Steve Witkoff remarked that "long-term safety pledges and robust prosperity commitments are essential to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – referring to a major condition made by Ukraine.

He said the coalition had "largely finished" their work on agreeing such pledges "in order that the citizens of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends forever."

The former US envoy, former American President Donald Trump's special envoy, also took part in the negotiations.

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's partners had made "significant progress" at the negotiations.

He said that "robust" security guarantees for Ukraine had been reached in the event of a potential ceasefire.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "major advance" had been made in Paris, but added that he would only consider efforts to be "enough" if they led to the conclusion of the war.

Recently, Zelensky indicated a peace deal was "90% ready". Finalizing the remaining 10% would "determine the fate of the agreement, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Land and defense assurances have been at the heart of unresolved issues for negotiators.
• Moscow has repeatedly warned that Kyiv's military must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will occupy it, rejecting any middle ground over how to end the war.
• Kyiv has thus far rejected ceding any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could pull back its troops to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia does the same.

Moscow presently controls approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the area of the Donbas.

The earlier US-led multi-point framework that was widely leaked to the media last year was seen by Kyiv and its EU supporters as being heavily skewed in Russia's favor.

This triggered weeks of intensive discussions – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to adjust the document.

Recently, Ukraine presented the US an updated 20-point plan – as well as separate documents describing possible security guarantees and plans for Ukraine's recovery, Zelensky added.