UK and France Will Dispatch Forces to Ukraine if a Peace Agreement is Reached

The London and Paris have signed a statement of purpose concerning the deployment of armed personnel in the nation should a peace agreement be struck with Moscow, the Prime Minister of Britain, Starmer, has declared.

Following talks with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he indicated that the allies would "set up operational bases throughout Ukraine and erect fortified installations for arms and equipment" to prevent any potential invasion.

The partner countries also suggested that the America would assume leadership in monitoring a ceasefire.

Moscow has on multiple occasions warned that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has as yet not issued a statement on this latest development.

Background and Ongoing Conflict

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow at this time holds roughly 20% of the country's land.

"This constitutes a crucial element of our vow to stand with Ukraine for the duration," stated the UK Prime Minister.

Heads of state and high-ranking officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" participated in the recent discussions.

He stated at a combined announcement, he noted: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which British, French, and partner forces could function on the ground in Ukraine, protecting Ukraine's airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the future."

The PM also stated that the UK would take part in any US-led confirmation of a possible cessation of hostilities.

Security Guarantees and Diplomatic Positions

Lead US negotiator Steve Witkoff said that "lasting safety pledges and robust reconstruction vows are essential to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – mentioning a key condition made by the Ukrainian government.

He indicated the allies had "substantially agreed on" their work on finalizing such pledges "so that the Ukrainian people know that when this conflict ends, it ends forever."

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

Meanwhile, President Macron Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's partners had made "significant headway" at the meeting.

He noted that "robust" security guarantees for the Ukrainian government had been agreed in the instance of a potential ceasefire.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "major step forward" had been made in the negotiations, but qualified that he would only consider efforts to be "enough" if they resulted in the end of the war.

Last week, he indicated a settlement was "largely prepared". Finalizing the last 10% would "shape the future of the agreement, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Sovereign soil and defense assurances have been at the center of key disagreements for diplomats.
• Moscow has often said that Ukraine's forces must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, refusing any concession over how to conclude the war.
• The Ukrainian President has to date excluded ceding any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Russia currently holds about 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the adjacent Luhansk. The two regions form the industrial region of the Donbas.

The earlier US-led 28-point proposal that was extensively reported to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its European allies as being strongly biased in Moscow's direction.

This led to a period of focused diplomacy – with the involved parties trying to amend the proposal.

Last month, Kyiv sent the US an new proposal – as well as distinct documents describing possible defense assurances and arrangements for Ukraine's recovery, he said.