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

The London and Paris have signed a declaration of intent concerning the deployment of troops in Ukraine should a peace deal be made with Moscow, the British leader, Keir Starmer, has announced.

Following discussions with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he indicated that the two nations would "establish defense centers in various parts of Ukraine and erect protected facilities for arms and equipment" to deter any potential attack.

The coalition members also suggested that the America would take the lead in monitoring a halt in hostilities.

Moscow has repeatedly stated that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has so far not commented on this new declaration.

Background and Continuing Hostilities

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in early 2022, and Moscow currently controls roughly 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

"This represents an essential component of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the long-term," remarked the UK Prime Minister.

Heads of state and top officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" were involved in Tuesday's talks.

Addressing reporters at a joint press conference, he added: "It establishes the framework for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could work on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and restoring Ukraine's armed forces for the years ahead."

The PM went on to say that London would participate in any American-headed confirmation of a prospective truce.

Security Guarantees and Diplomatic Positions

Senior US negotiator Steve Witkoff stated that "lasting safety pledges and strong economic promises are vital to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – mentioning a key condition made by the Ukrainian government.

Witkoff noted the partner nations had "largely finished" their work on agreeing such guarantees "so that the Ukrainian people know that when this hostilities ends, it ends forever."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, ex-President Donald Trump's advisor, also participated in the talks.

At the same time, French President Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's supporters had made "major advances" at the talks.

He added that "robust" security guarantees for the Ukrainian government had been reached in the case of a prospective ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "major development" had been made in the talks, but added that he would only deem efforts to be "sufficient" if they led to the end of the fighting.

Last week, he suggested a peace deal was "90% ready". Finalizing the outstanding 10% would "shape the fate of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Sovereign soil and security guarantees have been at the heart of key disagreements for negotiators.
• The Russian President has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will take control, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war.
• Zelensky has thus far excluded giving up any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could move its forces to an designated point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Moscow currently holds approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The two regions form the heartland of Donbas.

The initial US-led 28-point proposal that was extensively reported to the media last year was seen by Ukraine and its partners in Europe as being strongly biased in Moscow's favor.

This sparked weeks of high-level discussions – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to amend the draft.

Last month, The Ukrainian government sent the US an revised framework – as well as distinct documents detailing prospective security guarantees and plans for Ukraine's recovery, the President added.