UK and France Will Dispatch Troops to the Country should a Peace Deal is Agreed

The London and Paris have signed a statement of purpose concerning the positioning of armed personnel in Ukraine if a peace agreement be concluded with Moscow, the Prime Minister of Britain, Sir Keir Starmer, has announced.

Following negotiations with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he indicated that the allies would "create military hubs in various parts of Ukraine and build secure facilities for weapons and military equipment" to deter any future attack.

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

Moscow has consistently warned that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has so far not responded on this recent development.

Background and Continuing Conflict

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin launched a major offensive of Ukraine in early 2022, and Russia at this time controls approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This represents an essential component of our vow to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future," remarked the British leader.

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

Addressing reporters at a combined announcement, the Prime Minister noted: "It creates the pathway for the juridical structure under which British, French, and partner forces could function on Ukrainian soil, defending Ukraine's airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's military for the years ahead."

The UK prime minister added that London would be involved in any American-headed confirmation of a potential ceasefire.

Security Guarantees and Negotiation Stances

Top Washington representative Steve Witkoff said that "durable safety pledges and strong economic promises are vital to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – referring to a key requirement made by Kyiv.

Witkoff said the allies had "largely finished" their work on establishing such pledges "so that the people of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends for good."

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

At the same time, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's allies had made "significant advances" at the meeting.

He said that "comprehensive" security guarantees for the Ukrainian government had been settled upon in the instance of a possible truce.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "significant development" had been made in the negotiations, but cautioned that he would only deem efforts to be "sufficient" if they led to the end of the conflict.

Earlier, the Ukrainian leader indicated a peace deal was "90% ready". Settling the outstanding 10% would "determine the fate of the peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Sovereign soil and security guarantees have been at the forefront of ongoing disputes for diplomats.
• The Russian President has often said that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, dismissing any concession over how to finish the war.
• Zelensky has so far excluded ceding any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Russia currently holds approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts form the heartland of the Donbas.

The initial US-led 28-point framework that was widely leaked to the media last year was seen by Kyiv and its partners in Europe as being strongly biased in Russia's favor.

This triggered weeks of focused discussions – with the involved parties trying to amend the draft.

The previous month, The Ukrainian government submitted the US an new 20-point plan – as well as separate documents describing potential defense assurances and plans for Ukraine's reconstruction, the President stated.