Britain and France Plan to Send Troops to the Country in the event that a Peace Agreement is Reached

The British and French governments have formalized a statement of purpose concerning the deployment of military forces in Ukraine if a peace agreement be made with Russia, the British leader, Sir Keir Starmer, has stated.

After talks with Kyiv's partners in Paris, he said that the UK and France would "set up defense centers throughout Ukraine and construct protected installations for military hardware and equipment" to discourage any future incursion.

The allied nations also suggested that the America would take the lead in verifying a ceasefire.

Russia has consistently warned that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has as yet not commented on this latest announcement.

The Situation and Continuing War

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin began a major offensive of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces presently holds roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This represents an essential component of our vow to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future," stated the UK Prime Minister.

Heads of state and top officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" participated in Tuesday's talks.

Speaking at a combined announcement, he noted: "It establishes the framework for the juridical structure under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukraine's skies and seas, and restoring Ukraine's defense capabilities for the future."

The PM added that London would take part in any American-headed monitoring of a potential cessation of hostilities.

Defense Assurances and Diplomatic Positions

Top American diplomat Steve Witkoff said that "durable defense assurances and robust prosperity commitments are critical to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – mentioning a major condition made by the Ukrainian government.

He noted the partner nations had "largely finished" their work on establishing such pledges "to ensure the people of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends permanently."

Jared Kushner, ex-President Donald Trump's advisor, also took part in the negotiations.

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's partners had made "considerable advances" at the talks.

He said that "strong" security guarantees for Ukraine had been agreed in the event of a potential ceasefire.

President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "significant advance" had been made in Paris, but qualified that he would only consider efforts to be "adequate" if they culminated in the end of the conflict.

Recently, he suggested a peace agreement was "mostly finalized". Finalizing the outstanding 10% would "determine the future of peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Land and security guarantees have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for diplomats.
• The Russian President has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must retreat from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will occupy it, refusing any concession over how to conclude the war.
• Zelensky has so far rejected surrendering any land, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Russia presently controls about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the heartland of the Donbas.

The original US-led 28-point peace plan that was widely leaked to the media last year was viewed by Ukraine and its partners in Europe as being heavily skewed in Moscow's direction.

This triggered a period of high-level discussions – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to revise the draft.

Last month, Ukraine presented the US an revised 20-point plan – as well as distinct documents describing possible defense assurances and plans for Ukraine's rebuilding, he said.