Britain and France Will Dispatch Military Personnel to Ukraine if a Ceasefire Accord is Finalized

The British and French governments have inked a statement of purpose concerning the deployment of military forces in the nation in the event a peace agreement be made with Moscow, the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has declared.

After negotiations with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he noted that the two nations would "establish military hubs in various parts of Ukraine and erect fortified structures for military hardware and military equipment" to deter any future incursion.

The coalition members also proposed that the US would assume leadership in overseeing a truce.

Russia has consistently stated that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has as yet not responded on this new declaration.

Background and Ongoing Hostilities

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

"This represents an essential component of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the duration," stated Starmer.

Heads of state and high-ranking officials from the "Allied Coalition" participated in the recent discussions.

Speaking at a combined announcement, Starmer noted: "It creates the pathway for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could function on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and restoring Ukraine's defense capabilities for the future."

The UK prime minister also stated that the UK would participate in any American-headed confirmation of a prospective cessation of hostilities.

Protection Pledges and Diplomatic Positions

Top Washington representative Steve Witkoff said that "durable safety pledges and strong economic promises are critical to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – referring to a major requirement made by the Ukrainian government.

The negotiator noted the partner nations had "substantially agreed on" their work on establishing such assurances "to ensure the citizens of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends forever."

The former US envoy, ex-President Donald Trump's special envoy, also was involved in the negotiations.

Meanwhile, France's leader Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's supporters had made "considerable progress" at the meeting.

He added that "comprehensive" safety pledges for Kyiv had been agreed in the instance of a potential ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "significant step forward" had been made in the negotiations, but qualified that he would only deem efforts to be "enough" if they led to the cessation of the conflict.

Earlier, the Ukrainian leader said a peace deal was "90% ready". Settling the last 10% would "shape the fate of the agreement, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Land and security guarantees have been at the heart of key disagreements for diplomats.
• The Russian President has consistently stated that Ukraine's forces must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will occupy it, refusing any compromise over how to end the war.
• The Ukrainian President has to date rejected giving up any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could move its forces to an agreed point – but only if Russia does the same.

Russian forces currently occupies approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the heartland of the Donbas.

The initial US-led multi-point proposal that was widely leaked to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its partners in Europe as being strongly biased in Russia's favor.

This triggered weeks of high-level discussions – with the involved parties trying to adjust the proposal.

Recently, Ukraine sent the US an new 20-point plan – as well as distinct documents detailing possible security guarantees and arrangements for Ukraine's recovery, he added.