UK and France Plan to Send Forces to Ukraine in the event that a Peace Deal is Reached

The London and Paris have formalized a statement of purpose concerning the positioning of troops in Ukraine in the event a peace deal be struck with Moscow, the Prime Minister of Britain, Sir Keir Starmer, has declared.

After negotiations with allied nations in the French capital, he indicated that the allies would "set up defense centers across Ukraine and construct fortified installations for arms and military equipment" to discourage any subsequent incursion.

The coalition members also suggested that the America would assume leadership in verifying a ceasefire.

The Kremlin has consistently warned that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has as yet not commented on this recent declaration.

Background and Ongoing Conflict

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Russia at this time occupies approximately 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

"This is a vital part of our vow to stand with Ukraine for the long-term," commented the UK Prime Minister.

National leaders and senior officials from the "Partner Group" participated in Tuesday's talks.

Addressing reporters at a joint press conference, he added: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which British, French, and partner forces could work on the ground in Ukraine, defending Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and rebuilding Ukraine's defense capabilities for the future."

The UK prime minister also stated that the UK would take part in any Washington-directed verification of a potential cessation of hostilities.

Defense Assurances and Negotiation Stances

Lead Washington representative Steve Witkoff said that "long-term security guarantees and substantial economic promises are essential to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – mentioning a major requirement made by Ukraine.

Witkoff indicated the partner nations had "mostly completed" their work on establishing such assurances "in order that the Ukrainian people know that when this war ends, it ends permanently."

Jared Kushner, former American President Donald Trump's special envoy, also took part in the negotiations.

At the same time, French President Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's partners had made "considerable advances" at the meeting.

He added that "comprehensive" safety pledges for the Ukrainian government had been reached in the instance of a potential truce.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "major 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 conflict.

Recently, the Ukrainian leader suggested a peace deal was "mostly finalized". Finalizing the remaining 10% would "determine the fate of the agreement, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Sovereign soil and security guarantees have been at the center of ongoing disputes for diplomats.
• Putin has consistently stated that Ukraine's forces must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will take control, refusing any concession over how to finish the war.
• The Ukrainian President has to date excluded giving up any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its forces to an designated point – but only if Russia does the same.

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

The initial US-led multi-point proposal that was circulated to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its partners in Europe as being strongly biased in Russia's favor.

This triggered a period of high-level discussions – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to amend the document.

The previous month, Kyiv submitted the US an updated 20-point plan – as well as separate documents outlining potential defense assurances and plans for Ukraine's reconstruction, Zelensky added.