The United Kingdom and France Plan to Send Troops to Ukraine should a Peace Deal is Reached

The London and Paris have inked a declaration of intent concerning the positioning of armed personnel in Ukraine in the event a peace agreement be made with Moscow, the British leader, Sir Keir Starmer, has announced.

Following talks with Kyiv's partners in the French capital, he said that the UK and France would "set up defense centers in various parts of Ukraine and construct secure installations for weapons and equipment" to discourage any subsequent attack.

The coalition members also suggested that the US would play the primary role in verifying a halt in hostilities.

The Kremlin has consistently warned that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has so far not responded on this recent development.

The Situation and Ongoing Conflict

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow at this time occupies roughly 20% of the country's land.

"This is a vital part of our vow to stand with Ukraine for the duration," stated the British leader.

National leaders and high-ranking officials from the "Partner Group" participated in the Paris negotiations.

He stated at a joint press conference, Starmer further said: "It creates the pathway for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could work on the ground in Ukraine, protecting Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's defense capabilities for the time to come."

The UK prime minister went on to say that the UK would take part in any Washington-directed monitoring of a possible cessation of hostilities.

Security Guarantees and Negotiation Stances

Top US negotiator Steve Witkoff said that "durable safety pledges and substantial economic promises are critical to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – referring to a key requirement made by Ukraine.

Witkoff indicated the allies had "largely finished" their work on agreeing such assurances "in order that the people of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends permanently."

Jared Kushner, ex-President Donald Trump's special envoy, also was involved in the negotiations.

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

He said that "comprehensive" defense assurances for Kyiv had been agreed in the instance of a potential truce.

President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "significant advance" had been made in Paris, but added that he would only consider efforts to be "enough" if they resulted in the end of the war.

Earlier, Zelensky suggested a peace deal was "90% ready". Finalizing the remaining 10% would "shape the future of peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Territory and defense assurances have been at the forefront of key disagreements for the parties involved.
• The Russian President has consistently stated that Kyiv's military must retreat from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, refusing any concession over how to conclude the war.
• Kyiv has to date excluded ceding any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could move its forces to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia follows suit.

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

The initial US-led multi-point proposal that was circulated to the media last year was perceived by Ukraine and its partners in Europe as being disproportionately favorable in Russia's favor.

This sparked weeks of intensive negotiations – with all sides trying to adjust the draft.

The previous month, Kyiv submitted the US an revised proposal – as well as additional documents detailing potential defense assurances and plans for Ukraine's recovery, he added.