UK and France Plan to Send Forces to Ukraine in the event that a Peace Deal is Agreed

The London and Paris have inked a declaration of intent concerning the stationing of military forces in the nation should a ceasefire be made with Moscow, the British leader, Starmer, has stated.

Subsequent to talks with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he noted that the UK and France would "set up operational bases in various parts of Ukraine and erect fortified installations for military hardware and defense matériel" to discourage any future invasion.

The allied nations also suggested that the US would assume leadership in verifying a truce.

Moscow has on multiple occasions cautioned that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has not yet responded on this recent development.

Context and Continuing War

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin initiated a major offensive of Ukraine in early 2022, and Russia currently holds about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This is a vital part of our vow to stand with Ukraine for the duration," stated the UK Prime Minister.

National leaders and senior officials from the "Partner Group" were involved in the Paris negotiations.

He stated at a combined announcement, he added: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could function on the ground in Ukraine, protecting Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and rebuilding Ukraine's defense capabilities for the future."

The PM added that London would take part in any Washington-directed monitoring of a prospective truce.

Defense Assurances and Negotiation Stances

Senior Washington representative Steve Witkoff said that "lasting defense assurances and strong reconstruction vows are essential to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – referring to a major requirement made by Kyiv.

He said the partner nations had "largely finished" their work on finalizing such pledges "in order that the Ukrainian people know that when this war ends, it ends for good."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, US President Donald Trump's representative, also was involved in the talks.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's supporters had made "major advances" at the negotiations.

He added that "strong" defense assurances for Ukraine had been settled upon in the instance of a possible ceasefire.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "major step forward" had been made in Paris, but cautioned that he would only view efforts to be "sufficient" if they resulted in the cessation of the conflict.

Earlier, he indicated a peace agreement was "mostly finalized". Settling the remaining 10% would "decide the future of the agreement, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Sovereign soil and security guarantees have been at the heart of ongoing disputes for the parties involved.
• Moscow has repeatedly warned that Kyiv's military must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will take control, rejecting any middle ground over how to end the war.
• Zelensky has thus far excluded giving up any territory, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could pull back its troops to an designated point – but only if Russia does the same.

Moscow presently occupies about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the bordering Luhansk. The two regions form the area of Donbas.

The earlier US-led 28-point 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 led to a period of high-level negotiations – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to adjust the document.

Last month, The Ukrainian government sent the US an new framework – as well as additional documents describing potential security guarantees and provisions for Ukraine's recovery, the President added.