UK and France Will Dispatch Forces to Ukraine if a Peace Agreement is Finalized

The British and French governments have signed a declaration of intent concerning the positioning of troops in the nation in the event a peace agreement be concluded with Russia, the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has announced.

After discussions with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he said that the allies would "establish defense centers in various parts of Ukraine and construct fortified installations for weapons and equipment" to deter any potential incursion.

The coalition members also put forward that the America would play the primary role in overseeing a ceasefire.

Moscow has consistently warned that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has not yet issued a statement on this latest development.

Context and Continuing Hostilities

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russia at this time holds about 20% of the country's land.

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

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

He stated at a combined announcement, he noted: "It establishes the framework for the juridical structure under which British, French, and partner forces could function on the ground in Ukraine, securing Ukraine's airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the time to come."

The PM also stated that the UK would take part in any American-headed confirmation of a potential ceasefire.

Defense Assurances and Negotiation Stances

Top Washington representative Steve Witkoff said that "durable defense assurances and robust prosperity commitments are vital to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – alluding to a central condition made by Kyiv.

Witkoff noted the partner nations had "substantially agreed on" their work on establishing such assurances "to ensure the Ukrainian people know that when this conflict ends, it ends permanently."

The former US envoy, former American President Donald Trump's advisor, also participated in the discussions.

Meanwhile, President Macron Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's partners had made "significant progress" at the talks.

He said that "strong" safety pledges for Kyiv had been agreed in the case of a possible ceasefire.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "major step forward" had been made in Paris, but qualified that he would only view efforts to be "adequate" if they culminated in the conclusion of the conflict.

Last week, the Ukrainian leader said a settlement was "mostly finalized". Finalizing the remaining 10% would "decide the fate of peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Territory and defense assurances have been at the center of ongoing disputes for negotiators.
• Putin has often said that Ukraine's forces must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will occupy it, dismissing any middle ground over how to finish the war.
• The Ukrainian President has thus far ruled out ceding any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could move its forces to an designated point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Moscow currently occupies about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the bordering Luhansk. The two regions form the industrial region of Donbas.

The earlier 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 favor.

This triggered a period of high-level negotiations – with all sides trying to revise the draft.

Last month, The Ukrainian government sent the US an revised 20-point plan – as well as separate documents describing possible security guarantees and plans for Ukraine's recovery, he added.