The United Kingdom and France Plan to Send Forces to Ukraine should a Ceasefire Accord is Finalized

The UK and France have inked a declaration of intent concerning the deployment of troops in Ukraine should a peace agreement be made with Russia, the British leader, Sir Keir Starmer, has stated.

Following discussions with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he indicated that the allies would "create operational bases across Ukraine and build secure structures for weapons and defense matériel" to deter any potential incursion.

The coalition members also suggested that the America would play the primary role in verifying a ceasefire.

Russia has on multiple occasions stated that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has so far not issued a statement on this recent announcement.

The Situation and Continuing War

Russian President Vladimir Putin began a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Russia currently occupies approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This represents an essential component of our pledge to support Ukraine for the long-term," remarked the British leader.

Heads of state and high-ranking officials from the "Allied Coalition" took part in the Paris negotiations.

Speaking at a joint press conference, the Prime Minister further said: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which British, French, and partner forces could function on the ground in Ukraine, defending Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and rebuilding Ukraine's military for the time to come."

The PM went on to say that Britain would be involved in any Washington-directed confirmation of a possible ceasefire.

Protection Pledges and Negotiation Stances

Lead Washington representative Steve Witkoff said that "long-term security guarantees and strong prosperity commitments are critical to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – referring to a major requirement made by Ukraine.

Witkoff indicated the coalition had "largely finished" their work on establishing such pledges "in order that the Ukrainian people know that when this conflict ends, it ends for good."

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

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

He noted that "robust" safety pledges for Kyiv had been reached in the event of a potential truce.

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

Last week, Zelensky said a peace deal was "mostly finalized". Agreeing on the outstanding 10% would "determine the outcome of peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Land and defense assurances have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for diplomats.
• The Russian President has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's forces must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will take control, refusing any compromise over how to conclude the war.
• Kyiv has so far rejected ceding any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could pull back its forces to an agreed point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Moscow presently occupies approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the area of Donbas.

The earlier US-led multi-point framework that was circulated to the media last year was seen by Kyiv and its partners in Europe as being disproportionately favorable in Russia's direction.

This led to a period of intensive negotiations – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to adjust the proposal.

Last month, Kyiv presented the US an revised 20-point plan – as well as separate documents describing potential defense assurances and arrangements for Ukraine's rebuilding, Zelensky stated.