UK and France Plan to Send Forces to Ukraine if a Peace Deal is Agreed

The London and Paris have inked a declaration of intent concerning the positioning of armed personnel in the nation in the event a peace agreement be made with Moscow, the UK Prime Minister, Starmer, has stated.

Subsequent to talks with allied nations in Paris, he indicated that the allies would "establish defense centers throughout Ukraine and construct protected facilities for military hardware and military equipment" to deter any future attack.

The partner countries also put forward that the US would play the primary role in verifying a ceasefire.

Russia has repeatedly cautioned that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has as yet not issued a statement on this recent declaration.

Context and Ongoing Conflict

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russia presently holds roughly 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

"This represents an essential component of our vow to support Ukraine for the long-term," stated Starmer.

National leaders and top officials from the "Partner Group" participated in the Paris negotiations.

Addressing reporters at a shared media briefing, Starmer further said: "It establishes the framework for the juridical structure under which allied and coalition forces could function on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the future."

The UK prime minister went on to say that London would be involved in any US-led confirmation of a possible ceasefire.

Security Guarantees and Negotiation Stances

Senior American diplomat Steve Witkoff remarked that "durable defense assurances and substantial economic promises are vital to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – alluding to a major condition made by the Ukrainian government.

The negotiator noted the allies had "mostly completed" their work on finalizing such guarantees "to ensure the people of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends forever."

Jared Kushner, ex-President Donald Trump's special envoy, also was involved in the talks.

At the same time, President Macron Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's allies had made "significant headway" at the negotiations.

He noted that "strong" safety pledges for Ukraine had been agreed in the instance of a potential truce.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "huge advance" had been made in the negotiations, but cautioned that he would only view efforts to be "adequate" if they culminated in the cessation of the conflict.

Last week, he said a peace deal was "largely prepared". Finalizing the remaining 10% would "decide the fate of the agreement, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Land and defense assurances have been at the forefront of ongoing disputes for negotiators.
• The Russian President has consistently stated that Kyiv's military must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will occupy it, dismissing any middle ground over how to finish the war.
• Kyiv has thus far rejected surrendering any land, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could move its forces to an agreed point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Moscow presently occupies about 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The two regions form the heartland of Donbas.

The earlier US-led multi-point peace plan that was widely leaked to the media last year was seen by Kyiv and its partners in Europe as being disproportionately favorable in Moscow's favor.

This led to a period of intensive diplomacy – with the involved parties trying to revise the draft.

Recently, Kyiv sent the US an revised proposal – as well as distinct documents detailing prospective security guarantees and provisions for Ukraine's reconstruction, he said.