UK and France Will Dispatch Military Personnel to Ukraine should a Ceasefire Accord is Agreed

The London and Paris have signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the stationing of troops in Ukraine if a peace agreement be made with Russia, the Prime Minister of Britain, Keir Starmer, has announced.

After discussions with allied nations in the French capital, he indicated that the two nations would "establish military hubs across Ukraine and construct protected structures for weapons and equipment" to discourage any future incursion.

The partner countries also proposed that the US would assume leadership in monitoring a ceasefire.

Russia has on multiple occasions warned that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has so far not issued a statement on this new announcement.

Background and Continuing Conflict

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin began a major offensive of Ukraine in early 2022, and Moscow presently holds about 20% of the country's land.

"This is a vital part of our vow to stand with Ukraine for the duration," stated Starmer.

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

Addressing reporters at a combined announcement, Starmer noted: "It creates the pathway for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could work on the ground in Ukraine, securing Ukraine's airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's defense capabilities for the years ahead."

The UK prime minister went on to say that Britain would participate in any American-headed confirmation of a potential truce.

Defense Assurances and Negotiation Stances

Top Washington representative Steve Witkoff remarked that "lasting security guarantees and strong prosperity commitments are critical to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – referring to a central condition made by Kyiv.

He indicated the allies had "largely finished" their work on agreeing such pledges "so that the citizens of Ukraine know that when this hostilities ends, it ends permanently."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, ex-President Donald Trump's advisor, also participated in the discussions.

Meanwhile, President Macron Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's partners had made "significant headway" at the negotiations.

He noted that "strong" safety pledges for Ukraine had been settled upon in the event of a possible truce.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "huge advance" had been made in the negotiations, but cautioned that he would only deem efforts to be "adequate" if they resulted in the cessation of the conflict.

Recently, Zelensky suggested a peace agreement was "90% ready". Finalizing the last 10% would "decide the future of peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Sovereign soil and security guarantees have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for the parties involved.
• Moscow has consistently stated that Kyiv's military must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, rejecting any concession over how to end the war.
• Zelensky has thus far excluded giving up any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could move its troops to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Russian forces currently occupies approximately 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk region. The two regions form the area of the Donbas.

The initial US-led 28-point framework that was widely leaked to the media last year was viewed by Kyiv and its EU supporters as being disproportionately favorable in Russia's favor.

This sparked weeks of high-level negotiations – with the involved parties trying to revise the document.

The previous month, Kyiv sent the US an new proposal – as well as distinct documents outlining possible security guarantees and provisions for Ukraine's rebuilding, the President added.