UK and France Will Dispatch Forces to Ukraine in the event that a Peace Deal is Finalized

The British and French governments have signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the deployment of troops in Ukraine should a ceasefire be made with Russia, the British leader, Starmer, has declared.

After negotiations with allied nations in the French capital, he noted that the two nations would "set up defense centers across Ukraine and construct fortified structures for arms and equipment" to prevent any subsequent invasion.

The coalition members also suggested that the US would take the lead in monitoring a truce.

Moscow has repeatedly warned that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has as yet not commented on this latest announcement.

Background and Ongoing War

Russian President Vladimir Putin began a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russia currently controls roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This constitutes a crucial element of our commitment to be alongside Ukraine for the long-term," stated the British leader.

Top officials and high-ranking officials from the "Partner Group" participated in Tuesday's talks.

Speaking at a shared media briefing, he further said: "It establishes the framework for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could function on the ground in Ukraine, defending Ukraine's airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's defense capabilities for the time to come."

The PM also stated that Britain would take part in any US-led verification of a prospective truce.

Protection Pledges and Diplomatic Positions

Lead American diplomat Steve Witkoff stated that "long-term security guarantees and substantial reconstruction vows are essential to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – referring to a major demand made by Kyiv.

Witkoff noted the coalition had "largely finished" their work on agreeing such pledges "in order that the people of Ukraine know that when this hostilities ends, it ends permanently."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, US President Donald Trump's advisor, also was involved in the discussions.

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's supporters had made "significant headway" at the meeting.

He noted that "comprehensive" defense assurances for the Ukrainian government had been settled upon in the event of a potential ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "huge development" had been made in the talks, but added that he would only view efforts to be "sufficient" if they resulted in the cessation of the fighting.

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

Remaining Challenges

• Territory and defense assurances have been at the center of ongoing disputes for negotiators.
• Moscow has consistently stated that Ukraine's forces must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will take control, rejecting any middle ground over how to finish the war.
• Zelensky has so far excluded ceding any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could move its troops to an agreed point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Russian forces presently holds about 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk region. The areas form the heartland of the Donbas.

The earlier US-led multi-point proposal that was extensively reported to the media last year was viewed by Ukraine and its partners in Europe as being disproportionately favorable 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.

Recently, Kyiv submitted the US an new proposal – as well as additional documents describing prospective defense assurances and provisions for Ukraine's reconstruction, he added.