The United Kingdom and France Plan to Send Forces to the Country in the event that a Peace Deal is Agreed

The British and French governments have signed a statement of purpose concerning the deployment of military forces in Ukraine should a ceasefire be struck with Russia, the British leader, Sir Keir Starmer, has stated.

After talks with allied nations in Paris, he indicated that the allies would "establish defense centers in various parts of Ukraine and erect secure structures for arms and equipment" to prevent any future invasion.

The allied nations also suggested that the US would assume leadership in verifying a halt in hostilities.

The Kremlin has repeatedly cautioned that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has not yet issued a statement on this latest declaration.

The Situation and Continuing Hostilities

Russian President Vladimir Putin began a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in early 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 foreseeable future," remarked the British leader.

Top officials and senior officials from the "Allied Coalition" were involved in the recent discussions.

He stated at a shared media briefing, he noted: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which allied and coalition forces could function on the ground in Ukraine, securing Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and regenerating Ukraine's defense capabilities for the time to come."

The British leader added that London would participate in any US-led confirmation of a possible ceasefire.

Security Guarantees and Diplomatic Positions

Lead US negotiator Steve Witkoff remarked that "durable security guarantees and robust prosperity commitments are critical to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – mentioning a key demand made by Ukraine.

He noted the partner nations had "largely finished" their work on agreeing such pledges "so that the Ukrainian people know that when this war ends, it ends for good."

Jared Kushner, ex-President Donald Trump's special envoy, also participated in the discussions.

Separately, President Macron Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's supporters had made "considerable headway" at the meeting.

He said that "strong" safety pledges for Kyiv had been agreed in the case of a potential truce.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "huge advance" had been made in Paris, but qualified that he would only deem efforts to be "adequate" if they resulted in the conclusion of the fighting.

Recently, he said a peace deal was "largely prepared". Settling the last 10% would "shape the fate of the agreement, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Land and defense assurances have been at the center of unresolved issues for negotiators.
• Putin has often said that Ukraine's forces must pull back from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will occupy it, refusing any concession over how to end the war.
• Kyiv has thus far rejected ceding any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could move its forces to an agreed point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Moscow presently controls approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk region. The areas form the heartland of the Donbas.

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

This led to a period of focused discussions – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to adjust the document.

The previous month, The Ukrainian government sent the US an new framework – as well as additional documents outlining possible defense assurances and provisions for Ukraine's rebuilding, Zelensky stated.