UK and France to Deploy Military Personnel to Ukraine if a Peace Agreement is Reached

The British and French governments have formalized a declaration of intent concerning the deployment of troops in Ukraine in the event a ceasefire be made with Moscow, the Prime Minister of Britain, Keir Starmer, has announced.

Subsequent to discussions with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he said that the allies would "create defense centers across Ukraine and construct fortified installations for military hardware and equipment" to deter any future incursion.

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

Moscow has consistently warned that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has so far not commented on this new development.

The Situation and Continuing Conflict

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces at this time controls about 20% of the country's land.

"This is a vital part of our commitment to be alongside Ukraine for the duration," stated the UK Prime Minister.

Heads of state and high-ranking officials from the "Allied Coalition" were involved in Tuesday's talks.

He stated at a joint press conference, Starmer noted: "It establishes the framework for the juridical structure under which allied and coalition forces could function on the ground in Ukraine, protecting Ukraine's airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's military for the years ahead."

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

Protection Pledges and Negotiation Stances

Senior Washington representative Steve Witkoff remarked that "durable defense assurances and robust economic promises are vital to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – mentioning a key requirement made by Kyiv.

Witkoff indicated the coalition had "mostly completed" their work on agreeing such pledges "in order that the people of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends for good."

Jared Kushner, ex-President Donald Trump's representative, also participated in the talks.

Meanwhile, France's leader Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's allies had made "significant advances" at the negotiations.

He added that "strong" safety pledges for the Ukrainian government had been reached in the case of a possible ceasefire.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "huge step forward" had been made in the negotiations, but cautioned that he would only view efforts to be "sufficient" if they resulted in the cessation of the fighting.

Recently, the Ukrainian leader said a peace deal was "mostly finalized". Agreeing on the last 10% would "decide the outcome of the agreement, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Sovereign soil and defense assurances have been at the heart of unresolved issues for negotiators.
• Putin has consistently stated that Ukraine's forces must retreat from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will take control, refusing any middle ground over how to finish the war.
• Kyiv has so far rejected ceding any territory, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could move its forces to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia does the same.

Russia presently controls about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk region. The two regions form the industrial region of Donbas.

The initial US-led comprehensive proposal that was widely leaked to the media last year was viewed by Ukraine and its partners in Europe as being strongly biased in Russia's direction.

This sparked weeks of intensive discussions – with the involved parties trying to adjust the proposal.

Last month, Ukraine sent the US an revised 20-point plan – as well as separate documents outlining prospective security guarantees and provisions for Ukraine's rebuilding, he said.