Britain and France to Deploy Forces to Ukraine in the event that a Peace Deal is Agreed

The British and French governments have formalized a statement of purpose concerning the stationing of troops in Ukraine if a peace agreement be made with Russia, the British leader, Keir Starmer, has declared.

Subsequent to discussions with allied nations in the French capital, he noted that the UK and France would "create military hubs throughout Ukraine and erect fortified installations for arms and equipment" to discourage any future attack.

The allied nations also proposed that the United States would take the lead in overseeing a truce.

Moscow has repeatedly warned that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has so far not commented on this new announcement.

Background and Continuing Hostilities

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin began a major offensive of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Russian forces at this time holds approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This is a vital part of our commitment to be alongside Ukraine for the foreseeable future," stated the UK Prime Minister.

Heads of state and senior officials from the "Allied Coalition" took part in Tuesday's talks.

He stated at a combined announcement, Starmer further said: "It establishes the framework for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could work on Ukraine's territory, defending Ukraine's airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's defense capabilities for the years ahead."

The PM also stated that the UK would take part in any American-headed confirmation of a prospective ceasefire.

Security Guarantees and Negotiation Stances

Senior US negotiator Steve Witkoff said that "lasting defense assurances and strong reconstruction vows are critical to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – referring to a major requirement made by Kyiv.

He said the allies had "mostly completed" their work on finalizing such guarantees "in order that the Ukrainian people know that when this conflict ends, it ends permanently."

The former US envoy, ex-President Donald Trump's special envoy, also participated in the talks.

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's supporters had made "major progress" at the talks.

He noted that "strong" defense assurances for the Ukrainian government had been reached in the instance of a possible ceasefire.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "huge development" had been made in the talks, but qualified that he would only deem efforts to be "adequate" if they culminated in the end of the conflict.

Recently, Zelensky indicated a peace deal was "largely prepared". Settling the remaining 10% would "decide the outcome of the peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Territory and defense assurances have been at the heart of unresolved issues for negotiators.
• Moscow has consistently stated that Kyiv's military must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, rejecting any concession over how to conclude the war.
• The Ukrainian President has so far excluded ceding any land, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point – but only if Russia does the same.

Moscow presently occupies about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the bordering Luhansk region. The two regions form the heartland of the Donbas.

The initial US-led comprehensive framework that was widely leaked to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its EU supporters as being heavily skewed in Russia's direction.

This sparked a period of focused diplomacy – with the involved parties trying to amend the document.

The previous month, Kyiv submitted the US an new 20-point plan – as well as additional documents describing prospective security guarantees and provisions for Ukraine's rebuilding, Zelensky added.