The United Kingdom and France Plan to Send Forces to the Country if a Peace Deal is Finalized

The London and Paris have formalized a memorandum of understanding concerning the deployment of armed personnel in the nation if a ceasefire be made with Moscow, the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has stated.

After talks with Kyiv's partners in Paris, he said that the allies would "create military hubs in various parts of Ukraine and erect fortified structures for weapons and military equipment" to prevent any future invasion.

The coalition members also proposed that the America would take the lead in verifying a ceasefire.

The Kremlin has consistently warned that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has so far not issued a statement on this new announcement.

Context and Continuing Conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, and Russian forces at this time occupies roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This is a vital part of our commitment to be alongside Ukraine for the long-term," commented the British leader.

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

Addressing reporters at a shared media briefing, he further said: "It establishes the framework for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's defense capabilities for the years ahead."

The British leader went on to say that Britain would participate in any American-headed monitoring of a possible truce.

Protection Pledges and Negotiation Stances

Lead American diplomat Steve Witkoff said that "lasting defense assurances and robust reconstruction vows are vital to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – referring to a central demand made by Kyiv.

Witkoff indicated the coalition had "substantially agreed on" their work on establishing such pledges "to ensure the citizens of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends permanently."

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

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

He added that "robust" defense assurances for Ukraine had been settled upon in the case of a potential ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "major development" had been made in the negotiations, but cautioned that he would only view efforts to be "adequate" if they led to the conclusion of the fighting.

Last week, Zelensky suggested a settlement was "90% ready". Settling the last 10% would "shape the fate of peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Territory and security guarantees have been at the forefront of key disagreements for negotiators.
• The Russian President has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must retreat from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will take control, dismissing any concession over how to finish the war.
• Kyiv has to date rejected surrendering any land, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could move its forces to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Moscow presently holds about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The areas form the area of the Donbas.

The original US-led multi-point peace plan that was extensively reported to the media last year was perceived by Ukraine and its European allies as being disproportionately favorable in Russia's favor.

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

Recently, The Ukrainian government sent the US an revised framework – as well as separate documents detailing possible security guarantees and plans for Ukraine's rebuilding, he stated.