The United Kingdom and France Plan to Send Forces to the Country should a Peace Deal is Agreed

The British and French governments have inked a statement of purpose concerning the positioning of troops in the nation should a ceasefire be struck with Moscow, the British leader, Starmer, has stated.

Subsequent to discussions with allied nations in the French capital, he indicated that the two nations would "create military hubs across Ukraine and build protected installations for weapons and defense matériel" to discourage any potential invasion.

The partner countries also suggested that the America would assume leadership in verifying a ceasefire.

Russia has on multiple occasions stated that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has as yet not commented on this new declaration.

Context and Ongoing Conflict

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin began a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in early 2022, and Russian forces currently holds roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory.

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

Heads of state and top officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" participated in the recent discussions.

He stated at a joint press conference, Starmer added: "It establishes the framework for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could function on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's airspace and waters, and restoring Ukraine's military for the future."

The UK prime minister went on to say that the UK would participate in any Washington-directed confirmation of a potential cessation of hostilities.

Defense Assurances and Diplomatic Positions

Lead American diplomat Steve Witkoff said that "lasting defense assurances and substantial economic promises are critical to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – referring to a central requirement made by Kyiv.

Witkoff indicated the partner nations had "mostly completed" their work on establishing such assurances "to ensure the people of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends forever."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, US President Donald Trump's special envoy, also was involved in the negotiations.

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's allies had made "major progress" at the talks.

He noted that "comprehensive" security guarantees for Kyiv had been agreed in the event of a possible ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "huge advance" had been made in the negotiations, but cautioned that he would only consider efforts to be "adequate" if they led to the cessation of the war.

Recently, Zelensky said a settlement was "mostly finalized". Settling the outstanding 10% would "determine the future of peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Land and security guarantees have been at the forefront of key disagreements for diplomats.
• Putin has often said that Ukrainian troops must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, dismissing any compromise over how to end the war.
• The Ukrainian President has so far rejected giving up any territory, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could move its troops to an agreed point – but only if Russia does the same.

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

The initial US-led multi-point framework that was widely leaked to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its EU supporters as being disproportionately favorable in Russia's favor.

This led to weeks of focused diplomacy – with the involved parties trying to amend the document.

Recently, The Ukrainian government submitted the US an new framework – as well as distinct documents detailing prospective defense assurances and plans for Ukraine's rebuilding, Zelensky said.