The United Kingdom and France to Deploy Troops to Ukraine should a Peace Agreement is Finalized

The London and Paris have inked a memorandum of understanding concerning the deployment of troops in the nation if a peace agreement be concluded with Russia, the Prime Minister of Britain, Sir Keir Starmer, has stated.

Subsequent to negotiations with allied nations in the French capital, he said that the UK and France would "set up defense centers throughout Ukraine and erect secure structures for military hardware and equipment" to prevent any future attack.

The allied nations also proposed that the United States would play the primary role in monitoring a ceasefire.

Russia has repeatedly stated that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has so far not issued a statement on this new declaration.

The Situation and Continuing Conflict

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russia presently holds roughly 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

"This represents an essential component of our pledge to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future," stated Starmer.

Heads of state and senior officials from the "Allied Coalition" were involved in the recent discussions.

Speaking at a shared media briefing, the Prime Minister added: "It creates the pathway for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could function on the ground in Ukraine, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the years ahead."

The British leader went on to say that the UK would be involved in any US-led monitoring of a potential ceasefire.

Defense Assurances and Diplomatic Positions

Senior American diplomat Steve Witkoff stated that "lasting security guarantees and substantial prosperity commitments are essential to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – mentioning a key requirement made by the Ukrainian government.

The negotiator indicated the allies had "substantially agreed on" their work on establishing such pledges "in order that the people of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends permanently."

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

At the same time, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's allies had made "significant headway" at the negotiations.

He noted that "comprehensive" safety pledges for the Ukrainian government had been settled upon in the event of a potential ceasefire.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "major step forward" had been made in the negotiations, but cautioned that he would only consider efforts to be "adequate" if they led to the end of the fighting.

Recently, the Ukrainian leader said a peace agreement was "largely prepared". Finalizing the outstanding 10% would "shape the fate of peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Land and defense assurances have been at the heart of unresolved issues for negotiators.
• The Russian President has consistently stated that Kyiv's military must retreat from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will take control, rejecting any compromise over how to conclude the war.
• The Ukrainian President has to date ruled out ceding any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Moscow currently controls approximately 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The areas form the industrial region of Donbas.

The initial US-led multi-point peace plan that was circulated to the media last year was viewed by Ukraine and its EU supporters as being heavily skewed in Moscow's direction.

This triggered weeks of focused discussions – with all sides trying to amend the proposal.

Recently, Kyiv presented the US an revised 20-point plan – as well as distinct documents describing potential defense assurances and plans for Ukraine's reconstruction, Zelensky said.