UK and France Will Dispatch Forces to Ukraine in the event that a Peace Deal is Finalized

The London and Paris have inked a memorandum of understanding concerning the positioning of armed personnel in Ukraine should a ceasefire be concluded with Russia, the Prime Minister of Britain, Sir Keir Starmer, has stated.

Subsequent to discussions with Kyiv's partners in the French capital, he noted that the two nations would "set up defense centers in various parts of Ukraine and construct fortified installations for military hardware and equipment" to discourage any potential attack.

The partner countries also put forward that the US would play the primary role in overseeing a halt in hostilities.

Russia has consistently stated that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has as yet not issued a statement on this new announcement.

Context and Continuing Hostilities

Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Russian forces presently occupies approximately 20% of the country's land.

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

National leaders and top officials from the "Allied Coalition" took part in the Paris negotiations.

He stated at a combined announcement, Starmer further said: "It establishes the framework for the legal framework under which allied and coalition forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukraine's airspace and waters, and restoring Ukraine's defense capabilities for the time to come."

The UK prime minister added that Britain would take part in any US-led verification of a potential cessation of hostilities.

Security Guarantees and Negotiation Stances

Top US negotiator Steve Witkoff stated that "long-term security guarantees and strong prosperity commitments are critical to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – mentioning a major demand made by the Ukrainian government.

He said the coalition had "mostly completed" their work on finalizing such pledges "to ensure the Ukrainian people know that when this war ends, it ends forever."

Jared Kushner, former American President Donald Trump's special envoy, also took part in the negotiations.

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's supporters had made "major advances" at the meeting.

He noted that "robust" security guarantees for Kyiv had been reached in the event of a possible truce.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "significant development" had been made in the talks, but added that he would only view efforts to be "adequate" if they resulted in the cessation of the fighting.

Earlier, the Ukrainian leader said a settlement was "mostly finalized". Agreeing on the outstanding 10% would "determine the outcome of peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Land and security guarantees have been at the forefront of key disagreements for the parties involved.
• The Russian President has consistently stated that Ukraine's forces must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, rejecting any middle ground over how to conclude the war.
• Kyiv has to date ruled out surrendering any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its forces to an designated point – but only if Russia does the same.

Russia currently occupies approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk region. The two regions form the industrial region of the Donbas.

The original US-led 28-point framework that was widely leaked to the media last year was perceived by Ukraine and its partners in Europe as being disproportionately favorable in Russia's favor.

This triggered weeks of focused diplomacy – with the involved parties trying to amend the proposal.

Last month, Ukraine sent the US an updated 20-point plan – as well as separate documents outlining possible defense assurances and provisions for Ukraine's recovery, Zelensky said.