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

The London and Paris have signed a statement of purpose concerning the stationing of troops in Ukraine in the event a peace agreement be concluded with Moscow, the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has stated.

Subsequent to discussions with allied nations in Paris, he said that the allies would "create defense centers in various parts of Ukraine and erect secure installations for arms and military equipment" to prevent any future incursion.

The partner countries also put forward that the America would take the lead in verifying a truce.

Moscow has consistently warned that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has as yet not commented on this new announcement.

The Situation and Ongoing Conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a major offensive of Ukraine in early 2022, and Moscow currently controls approximately 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

"This constitutes a crucial element of our pledge to support Ukraine for the long-term," remarked the UK Prime Minister.

Heads of state and senior officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" participated in the recent discussions.

Speaking at a joint press conference, the Prime Minister added: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could function on the ground in Ukraine, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's military for the years ahead."

The UK prime minister added that the UK would participate in any Washington-directed confirmation of a prospective ceasefire.

Protection Pledges and Diplomatic Positions

Top Washington representative Steve Witkoff stated that "durable safety pledges and strong reconstruction vows are essential to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – alluding to a key requirement made by Ukraine.

He said the allies had "mostly completed" their work on establishing such guarantees "to ensure the people of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends forever."

Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's advisor, also took part in the discussions.

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

He added that "robust" safety pledges for Ukraine had been agreed in the case of a prospective ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "significant step forward" had been made in the negotiations, but added that he would only view efforts to be "enough" if they resulted in the conclusion of the conflict.

Last week, Zelensky suggested a peace deal was "mostly finalized". Settling the last 10% would "determine the outcome of the agreement, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Territory and defense assurances have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for negotiators.
• Putin has often said that Ukrainian troops must retreat from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, rejecting any compromise over how to finish the war.
• Kyiv has to date rejected surrendering any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Russia presently occupies approximately 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk region. The areas form the area of Donbas.

The initial US-led 28-point peace plan that was circulated to the media last year was viewed by Ukraine and its European allies as being disproportionately favorable in Moscow's direction.

This sparked a period of focused negotiations – with the involved parties trying to revise the proposal.

Recently, Kyiv submitted the US an updated 20-point plan – as well as additional documents outlining prospective defense assurances and arrangements for Ukraine's reconstruction, he said.