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

The British and French governments have inked a statement of purpose concerning the positioning of troops in Ukraine should a peace agreement be made with Moscow, the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has declared.

Following discussions with Kyiv's partners in the French capital, he indicated that the two nations would "create military hubs throughout Ukraine and erect fortified structures for weapons and defense matériel" to deter any future incursion.

The allied nations also suggested that the United States would take the lead in overseeing a halt in hostilities.

The Kremlin has on multiple occasions warned that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has as yet not commented on this latest declaration.

Background and Ongoing Conflict

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, and Russia presently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This is a vital part of our commitment to be alongside Ukraine for the duration," commented the UK Prime Minister.

National leaders and top officials from the "Allied Coalition" participated in the recent discussions.

He stated at a combined announcement, he added: "It creates the pathway for the operational parameters under which allied and coalition forces could work on the ground in Ukraine, protecting Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's defense capabilities for the years ahead."

The British leader also stated that the UK would take part in any Washington-directed confirmation of a prospective cessation of hostilities.

Defense Assurances and Diplomatic Positions

Senior US negotiator Steve Witkoff remarked that "long-term safety pledges and robust economic promises are critical to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – alluding to a key demand made by the Ukrainian government.

The negotiator indicated the partner nations had "mostly completed" their work on finalizing such assurances "to ensure the citizens of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends forever."

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

At the same time, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's partners had made "major headway" at the negotiations.

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

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "major development" had been made in the talks, but cautioned that he would only consider efforts to be "adequate" if they resulted in the end of the fighting.

Earlier, the Ukrainian leader suggested a settlement was "90% ready". Finalizing the outstanding 10% would "decide the outcome of the agreement, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Territory and defense assurances have been at the forefront of key disagreements for diplomats.
• The Russian President has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will occupy it, refusing any middle ground over how to end the war.
• Kyiv has thus far rejected giving up any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could move its forces to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia does the same.

Russia currently controls approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The areas form the area of the Donbas.

The original US-led comprehensive framework that was extensively reported to the media last year was seen by Kyiv and its partners in Europe as being heavily skewed in Russia's favor.

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

Last month, Kyiv sent the US an new 20-point plan – as well as distinct documents outlining possible defense assurances and arrangements for Ukraine's recovery, the President said.