Britain and France to Deploy Troops to the Country in the event that a Peace Agreement is Finalized

The British and French governments have signed a statement of purpose concerning the deployment of armed personnel in Ukraine should a peace deal be concluded with Russia, the British leader, Keir Starmer, has stated.

Following talks with Kyiv's partners in the French capital, he said that the UK and France would "establish operational bases in various parts of Ukraine and erect secure facilities for weapons and military equipment" to deter any subsequent attack.

The partner countries also put forward that the United States would play the primary role in monitoring a halt in hostilities.

The Kremlin has repeatedly warned that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has as yet not responded on this latest development.

Context and Ongoing Conflict

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin initiated a major offensive of Ukraine in early 2022, and Russian forces presently holds roughly 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

"This is a vital part of our pledge to support Ukraine for the duration," remarked the UK Prime Minister.

Heads of state and high-ranking officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" were involved in the Paris negotiations.

Speaking at a joint press conference, Starmer further said: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's defense capabilities for the future."

The UK prime minister added that Britain would take part in any US-led confirmation of a possible truce.

Defense Assurances and Diplomatic Positions

Senior US negotiator Steve Witkoff stated that "long-term safety pledges and robust prosperity commitments are critical to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – referring to a central condition made by Kyiv.

Witkoff noted the coalition had "mostly completed" their work on agreeing such pledges "to ensure the citizens of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends permanently."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, former American President Donald Trump's representative, also participated in the talks.

Meanwhile, France's leader Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's allies had made "major headway" at the negotiations.

He noted that "strong" security guarantees for the Ukrainian government had been agreed in the instance of a potential truce.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "huge step forward" had been made in the talks, but cautioned that he would only deem efforts to be "enough" if they culminated in the conclusion of the war.

Last week, Zelensky said a peace deal was "largely prepared". Finalizing the last 10% would "shape the fate of the peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Land and security guarantees have been at the heart of ongoing disputes for negotiators.
• Moscow has repeatedly warned that Kyiv's military must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, dismissing any compromise over how to finish the war.
• Kyiv has so far excluded giving up any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its forces to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Moscow presently occupies approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk region. The two regions form the area of the Donbas.

The original US-led comprehensive proposal that was circulated to the media last year was perceived by Ukraine and its EU supporters as being disproportionately favorable in Russia's favor.

This led to a period of intensive negotiations – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to adjust the proposal.

Last month, Kyiv submitted the US an new framework – as well as additional documents describing possible defense assurances and arrangements for Ukraine's rebuilding, the President stated.