UK and France Plan to Send Troops to the Country in the event that a Ceasefire Accord is Reached

The British and French governments have signed a statement of purpose concerning the positioning of military forces in Ukraine if a peace deal be made with Moscow, the Prime Minister of Britain, Starmer, has stated.

After talks with allied nations in Paris, he noted that the allies would "establish operational bases in various parts of Ukraine and build fortified facilities for weapons and equipment" to prevent any subsequent attack.

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

The Kremlin has repeatedly warned that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has not yet issued a statement on this new announcement.

Context and Continuing Conflict

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, and Moscow currently holds about 20% of the country's land.

"This represents an essential component of our pledge to stand with Ukraine for the long-term," commented Starmer.

Heads of state and high-ranking officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" took part in the Paris negotiations.

Speaking at a combined announcement, he added: "It creates the pathway for the legal framework under which allied and coalition forces could work on the ground in Ukraine, protecting Ukraine's airspace and waters, and restoring Ukraine's armed forces for the future."

The British leader also stated that the UK would take part in any American-headed verification of a prospective ceasefire.

Protection Pledges and Diplomatic Positions

Lead US negotiator Steve Witkoff stated that "durable security guarantees and substantial prosperity commitments are essential to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – mentioning a major condition made by Ukraine.

Witkoff noted the coalition had "mostly completed" their work on agreeing such pledges "in order that the people of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends forever."

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

At the same time, France's leader Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's allies had made "significant advances" at the talks.

He noted that "comprehensive" security guarantees for Kyiv had been settled upon in the instance of a prospective truce.

President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "huge advance" had been made in Paris, but added that he would only consider efforts to be "adequate" if they culminated in the cessation of the fighting.

Recently, the Ukrainian leader said a settlement was "90% ready". Agreeing on the remaining 10% would "decide the outcome of the peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Sovereign soil and defense assurances have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for the parties involved.
• The Russian President has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must retreat from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will take control, dismissing any concession over how to conclude the war.
• Kyiv has to date excluded surrendering any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could pull back its forces to an designated point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Russia currently occupies approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts form the industrial region of the Donbas.

The original US-led comprehensive proposal that was extensively reported to the media last year was seen by Kyiv and its partners in Europe as being strongly biased in Moscow's direction.

This led to a period of high-level discussions – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to adjust the proposal.

Last month, Kyiv presented the US an revised framework – as well as separate documents outlining possible defense assurances and provisions for Ukraine's rebuilding, he stated.