The United Kingdom and France Plan to Send Forces to the Country should a Ceasefire Accord is Finalized

The British and French governments have signed a declaration of intent concerning the positioning of troops in Ukraine if a peace deal be made with Moscow, the Prime Minister of Britain, Starmer, has stated.

Following discussions with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he said that the two nations would "create military hubs throughout Ukraine and build secure facilities for weapons and equipment" to discourage any future invasion.

The allied nations also suggested that the US would assume leadership in monitoring a ceasefire.

Russia has on multiple occasions warned that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has so far not commented on this recent development.

Context and Continuing War

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in early 2022, and Moscow currently occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This represents an essential component of our vow to support Ukraine for the duration," remarked the UK Prime Minister.

National leaders and high-ranking officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" took part in the Paris negotiations.

Addressing reporters at a combined announcement, Starmer noted: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, defending Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and rebuilding Ukraine's military for the future."

The British leader also stated that Britain would take part in any Washington-directed monitoring of a possible cessation of hostilities.

Defense Assurances and Negotiation Stances

Lead Washington representative Steve Witkoff stated that "durable defense assurances and substantial prosperity commitments are critical to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – alluding to a key demand made by Ukraine.

Witkoff noted the partner nations had "largely finished" their work on agreeing such assurances "so that the citizens of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends for good."

Jared Kushner, ex-President Donald Trump's representative, also took part in the talks.

Separately, President Macron Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's partners had made "considerable advances" at the negotiations.

He said that "robust" security guarantees for Kyiv had been agreed in the instance of a potential ceasefire.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "huge development" had been made in the negotiations, but cautioned that he would only consider efforts to be "enough" if they culminated in the end of the war.

Earlier, the Ukrainian leader suggested a settlement was "90% ready". Agreeing on the outstanding 10% would "shape the fate of the peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Territory and defense assurances have been at the center of unresolved issues for diplomats.
• Putin has often said that Ukraine's forces must pull back from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will occupy it, rejecting any compromise over how to finish the war.
• Zelensky has so far rejected surrendering any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an designated point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Russian forces presently occupies about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the area of Donbas.

The earlier US-led 28-point peace plan that was circulated to the media last year was viewed by Kyiv and its partners in Europe as being heavily skewed in Russia's favor.

This triggered a period of focused discussions – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to amend the draft.

Last month, Kyiv sent the US an revised framework – as well as distinct documents detailing potential defense assurances and plans for Ukraine's reconstruction, he said.