The United Kingdom and France Plan to Send Troops to Ukraine if a Peace Deal is Finalized

The London and Paris have inked a statement of purpose concerning the stationing of armed personnel in Ukraine if a peace agreement be struck with Russia, the UK Prime Minister, Starmer, has stated.

Subsequent to discussions with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he said that the UK and France would "create military hubs across Ukraine and construct protected installations for military hardware and equipment" to deter any potential invasion.

The allied nations also put forward that the America would take the lead in monitoring a ceasefire.

Russia has consistently warned that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has as yet not issued a statement on this latest development.

The Situation and Ongoing Hostilities

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin launched a major offensive of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces presently occupies roughly 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

"This is a vital part of our vow to support Ukraine for the long-term," stated Starmer.

National leaders and top officials from the "Partner Group" participated in Tuesday's talks.

Addressing reporters at a joint press conference, the Prime Minister added: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could work on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the future."

The British leader also stated that Britain would take part in any American-headed confirmation of a possible ceasefire.

Defense Assurances and Diplomatic Positions

Top US negotiator Steve Witkoff remarked that "durable safety pledges and substantial reconstruction vows are critical to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – mentioning a central requirement made by Kyiv.

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

The former US envoy, former American President Donald Trump's advisor, also took part in the discussions.

At the same time, President Macron Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's partners had made "major progress" at the negotiations.

He added that "robust" security guarantees for the Ukrainian government had been settled upon in the event of a possible ceasefire.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "significant development" had been made in the negotiations, but added that he would only deem efforts to be "enough" if they led to the cessation of the fighting.

Earlier, Zelensky said a peace agreement was "90% ready". Agreeing on the remaining 10% would "determine the fate of the peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Land and security guarantees have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for negotiators.
• The Russian President has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will occupy it, refusing any middle ground over how to end the war.
• The Ukrainian President has to date excluded surrendering any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could pull back its forces to an designated point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Moscow currently controls approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the bordering Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts form the industrial region of Donbas.

The initial US-led comprehensive proposal that was extensively reported to the media last year was viewed by Ukraine and its partners in Europe as being heavily skewed in Moscow's direction.

This led to weeks of focused discussions – with the involved parties trying to revise the document.

Recently, The Ukrainian government submitted the US an updated framework – as well as distinct documents outlining potential security guarantees and arrangements for Ukraine's recovery, Zelensky added.