The United Kingdom and France Will Dispatch Forces to Ukraine should a Peace Deal is Agreed

The London and Paris have inked a memorandum of understanding concerning the deployment of troops in Ukraine should a peace agreement be struck with Moscow, the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has declared.

Following negotiations with allied nations in Paris, he noted that the allies would "establish operational bases in various parts of Ukraine and erect fortified installations for weapons and military equipment" to deter any potential incursion.

The coalition members also proposed that the United States would take the lead in overseeing a halt in hostilities.

Moscow has repeatedly warned that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has not yet issued a statement on this latest announcement.

The Situation and Ongoing War

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russia at this time occupies roughly 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

"This represents an essential component of our pledge to be alongside Ukraine for the duration," remarked Starmer.

Top officials and top officials from the "Allied Coalition" were involved in the Paris negotiations.

Speaking at a combined announcement, the Prime Minister noted: "It paves the way for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on the ground in Ukraine, defending Ukraine's airspace and waters, and restoring Ukraine's defense capabilities for the years ahead."

The PM also stated that the UK would be involved in any American-headed verification of a possible ceasefire.

Protection Pledges and Negotiation Stances

Senior American diplomat Steve Witkoff stated that "durable safety pledges and strong economic promises are critical to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – mentioning a major condition made by Ukraine.

He said the partner nations had "substantially agreed on" their work on establishing such guarantees "so that the people of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends forever."

The former US envoy, US President Donald Trump's advisor, also participated in the talks.

At the same time, France's leader Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's supporters had made "considerable advances" at the talks.

He said that "comprehensive" defense assurances for Kyiv had been agreed in the event of a potential truce.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "significant step forward" had been made in the negotiations, but added that he would only view efforts to be "adequate" if they resulted in the end of the conflict.

Recently, the Ukrainian leader said a peace deal was "mostly finalized". Finalizing the remaining 10% would "determine the outcome of the agreement, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Land and security guarantees have been at the heart of unresolved issues for diplomats.
• Moscow has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, refusing any concession over how to end the war.
• Zelensky has thus far rejected giving up any territory, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could move its forces to an designated point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Moscow currently occupies about 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk region. The two regions form the heartland of Donbas.

The original US-led comprehensive peace plan that was circulated to the media last year was seen by Ukraine and its EU supporters as being heavily skewed in Moscow's direction.

This led to weeks of focused diplomacy – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to revise the document.

The previous month, The Ukrainian government sent the US an revised proposal – as well as separate documents describing prospective defense assurances and arrangements for Ukraine's rebuilding, Zelensky stated.