UK and France Plan to Send Military Personnel to the Country in the event that a Peace Deal is Reached

The British and French governments have signed a statement of purpose concerning the positioning of armed personnel in the nation in the event a peace deal be struck with Russia, the British leader, Starmer, has announced.

After discussions with allied nations in the French capital, he noted that the UK and France would "establish operational bases in various parts of Ukraine and build fortified installations for weapons and defense matériel" to deter any potential attack.

The coalition members also suggested that the United States would assume leadership in overseeing a ceasefire.

The Kremlin has repeatedly stated that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has not yet issued a statement on this latest development.

Context and Ongoing War

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin began a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces currently holds roughly 20% of the country's land.

"This is a vital part of our pledge to stand with Ukraine for the duration," commented Starmer.

National leaders and high-ranking officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" were involved in Tuesday's talks.

Speaking at a shared media briefing, the Prime Minister further said: "It establishes the framework for the juridical structure under which British, French, and partner forces could work on the ground in Ukraine, defending Ukraine's skies and seas, and restoring Ukraine's defense capabilities for the future."

The British leader also stated that the UK would participate in any US-led verification of a potential truce.

Security Guarantees and Negotiation Stances

Top US negotiator Steve Witkoff remarked that "durable safety pledges and robust prosperity commitments are essential to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – mentioning a central demand made by Ukraine.

The negotiator noted the allies had "largely finished" their work on establishing such assurances "so that the citizens of Ukraine know that when this hostilities ends, it ends permanently."

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

At the same time, French President Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's allies had made "considerable headway" at the talks.

He added that "robust" security guarantees for Ukraine had been agreed in the case of a possible ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "major advance" had been made in Paris, but qualified that he would only consider efforts to be "enough" if they led to the conclusion of the war.

Last week, Zelensky indicated a peace deal was "90% ready". Settling the remaining 10% would "decide the fate of the peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Territory and defense assurances have been at the center of ongoing disputes for the parties involved.
• The Russian President has consistently stated that Kyiv's military must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will occupy it, refusing any middle ground over how to finish the war.
• Zelensky has to date rejected ceding any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could move its forces to an agreed point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Moscow currently occupies approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts form the industrial region of the Donbas.

The initial US-led 28-point framework that was widely leaked to the media last year was seen by Kyiv and its EU supporters as being strongly biased in Moscow's favor.

This led to a period of focused discussions – with all sides trying to amend the document.

Last month, Ukraine submitted the US an updated 20-point plan – as well as separate documents detailing prospective security guarantees and plans for Ukraine's rebuilding, Zelensky said.