UK and France Plan to Send Troops to Ukraine if a Ceasefire Accord is Finalized

The British and French governments have inked a declaration of intent concerning the deployment of troops in Ukraine in the event a peace agreement be made with Russia, the Prime Minister of Britain, Starmer, has stated.

After talks with allied nations in the French capital, he said that the two nations would "set up defense centers across Ukraine and construct protected installations for arms and military equipment" to prevent any potential incursion.

The allied nations also proposed that the US would take the lead in verifying a ceasefire.

Moscow has consistently cautioned that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has as yet not responded on this latest declaration.

The Situation and Continuing Hostilities

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, and Russian forces currently holds about 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

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

National leaders and high-ranking officials from the "Partner Group" took part in the Paris negotiations.

He stated at a shared media briefing, he noted: "It establishes the framework for the operational parameters under which allied and coalition forces could function on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the years ahead."

The British leader also stated that London would participate in any US-led confirmation of a potential ceasefire.

Protection Pledges and Diplomatic Positions

Top American diplomat Steve Witkoff remarked that "durable security guarantees and strong economic promises are critical to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – alluding to a major condition made by Kyiv.

The negotiator noted the partner nations had "mostly completed" their work on establishing such guarantees "so that the Ukrainian people know that when this war ends, it ends forever."

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

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

He said that "strong" defense assurances for Kyiv had been agreed in the event of a possible truce.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "major development" had been made in Paris, but added that he would only consider efforts to be "sufficient" if they resulted in the cessation of the conflict.

Last week, Zelensky said a settlement was "largely prepared". Settling the remaining 10% would "shape the outcome of the peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Sovereign soil and security guarantees have been at the forefront of key disagreements for diplomats.
• Moscow has often said that Ukraine's forces must retreat from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will occupy it, refusing any concession over how to finish the war.
• Kyiv has so far ruled out giving up any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could move its troops to an designated point – but only if Russia does the same.

Moscow presently holds approximately 75% of the Donetsk oblast and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk. The areas form the industrial region of the Donbas.

The initial US-led comprehensive proposal that was extensively reported to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its partners in Europe as being disproportionately favorable in Moscow's favor.

This led to weeks of intensive diplomacy – with all sides trying to revise the proposal.

Last month, The Ukrainian government sent the US an updated framework – as well as separate documents detailing potential security guarantees and provisions for Ukraine's rebuilding, he added.