The United Kingdom and France Will Dispatch Forces to Ukraine if a Peace Agreement is Finalized

The British and French governments have formalized a declaration of intent concerning the stationing of troops in the nation should a peace agreement be concluded with Moscow, the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has declared.

Subsequent to negotiations with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he indicated that the UK and France would "set up military hubs across Ukraine and erect protected installations for weapons and equipment" to discourage any future invasion.

The partner countries also suggested that the United States would assume leadership in monitoring a truce.

Moscow has consistently cautioned that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has not yet commented on this latest development.

The Situation and Continuing Hostilities

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in early 2022, and Moscow at this time controls about 20% of the country's land.

"This constitutes a crucial element of our vow to stand with Ukraine for the long-term," commented the British leader.

Heads of state and senior officials from the "Partner Group" participated in the Paris negotiations.

Addressing reporters at a combined announcement, he further said: "It paves the way for the operational parameters under which allied and coalition forces could work on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and restoring Ukraine's military for the time to come."

The UK prime minister also stated that Britain would participate in any US-led verification of a possible truce.

Protection Pledges and Diplomatic Positions

Senior Washington representative Steve Witkoff stated that "long-term safety pledges and robust prosperity commitments are critical to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – referring to a key demand made by Kyiv.

The negotiator said the allies had "substantially agreed on" their work on finalizing such guarantees "in order that the people of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends permanently."

The former US envoy, US President Donald Trump's advisor, also was involved in the discussions.

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

He noted that "comprehensive" safety pledges for the Ukrainian government had been settled upon in the event of a prospective ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "major step forward" had been made in the talks, but cautioned that he would only view efforts to be "adequate" if they culminated in the cessation of the conflict.

Recently, he said a settlement was "90% ready". Agreeing on the remaining 10% would "shape the future of the peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Territory and defense assurances have been at the forefront of ongoing disputes for the parties involved.
• Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will take control, refusing any concession over how to conclude the war.
• The Ukrainian President has to date ruled out giving up any territory, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could move its forces to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Moscow presently holds about 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk region. The two regions form the heartland of the Donbas.

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

This led to weeks of intensive diplomacy – with the involved parties trying to adjust the document.

The previous month, The Ukrainian government sent the US an new proposal – as well as additional documents outlining potential security guarantees and provisions for Ukraine's reconstruction, he said.