The United Kingdom and France Plan to Send Forces to the Country if a Peace Deal is Reached

The UK and France have formalized a statement of purpose concerning the positioning of armed personnel in Ukraine in the event a ceasefire be struck with Russia, the British leader, Starmer, has declared.

Following negotiations with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he indicated that the allies would "set up military hubs across Ukraine and construct protected structures for military hardware and military equipment" to deter any subsequent invasion.

The coalition members also proposed that the United States would take the lead in verifying a ceasefire.

The Kremlin has on multiple occasions cautioned that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has as yet not issued a statement on this new development.

Background and Continuing War

Russian President Vladimir Putin began a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces at this time controls roughly 20% of the country's land.

"This represents an essential component of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the long-term," stated the British leader.

Top officials and high-ranking officials from the "Partner Group" took part in Tuesday's talks.

Speaking at a shared media briefing, the Prime Minister further said: "It establishes the framework for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could function on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and restoring Ukraine's military for the future."

The British leader added that the UK would be involved in any US-led confirmation of a possible truce.

Protection Pledges and Diplomatic Positions

Top American diplomat Steve Witkoff stated that "lasting safety pledges and strong reconstruction vows are essential to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – alluding to a major condition made by the Ukrainian government.

Witkoff said the partner nations had "mostly completed" their work on agreeing such pledges "to ensure the citizens of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends for good."

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

At the same time, President Macron Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's partners had made "considerable progress" at the talks.

He said that "comprehensive" safety pledges for Ukraine had been settled upon in the event of a potential ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "huge development" had been made in Paris, but added that he would only deem efforts to be "sufficient" if they led to the end of the fighting.

Last week, the Ukrainian leader suggested a peace deal was "mostly finalized". Settling the outstanding 10% would "decide the future of the peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Territory and defense assurances have been at the forefront of ongoing disputes for the parties involved.
• Putin has consistently stated that Kyiv's military must retreat from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, refusing any concession over how to finish the war.
• Kyiv has so far rejected surrendering any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could move its forces to an agreed point – but only if Russia does the same.

Moscow currently occupies about 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the bordering Luhansk. The two regions form the industrial region of Donbas.

The original US-led multi-point peace plan that was circulated to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its EU supporters as being disproportionately favorable in Moscow's favor.

This sparked weeks of intensive discussions – with all sides trying to adjust the document.

Recently, Kyiv submitted the US an updated framework – as well as distinct documents detailing possible defense assurances and arrangements for Ukraine's reconstruction, the President added.