Britain and France to Deploy Military Personnel to Ukraine should a Peace Agreement is Agreed

The British and French governments have formalized a declaration of intent concerning the deployment of military forces in the nation should a ceasefire be concluded with Russia, the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has announced.

Subsequent to talks with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he noted that the UK and France would "set up defense centers in various parts of Ukraine and construct secure installations for military hardware and military equipment" to prevent any subsequent incursion.

The coalition members also proposed that the US would play the primary role in verifying a truce.

Moscow has repeatedly warned that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has as yet not responded on this latest development.

The Situation and Continuing War

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in early 2022, and Moscow presently controls about 20% of the country's land.

"This constitutes a crucial element of our vow to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future," stated Starmer.

Heads of state and top officials from the "Partner Group" participated in the Paris negotiations.

Speaking at a joint press conference, the Prime Minister noted: "It establishes the framework for the legal framework under which allied and coalition forces could operate on Ukraine's territory, defending Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the future."

The UK prime minister went on to say that the UK would be involved in any Washington-directed verification of a prospective truce.

Defense Assurances and Diplomatic Positions

Top American diplomat Steve Witkoff remarked that "lasting security guarantees and substantial economic promises are essential to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – referring to a key demand made by Ukraine.

Witkoff said the coalition had "substantially agreed on" their work on establishing such assurances "so that the Ukrainian people know that when this hostilities ends, it ends permanently."

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

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

He said that "comprehensive" security guarantees for Ukraine had been agreed in the case of a potential truce.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "major development" had been made in the talks, but added that he would only view efforts to be "sufficient" if they led to the cessation of the war.

Recently, the Ukrainian leader suggested a peace deal was "90% ready". Settling the outstanding 10% would "shape the fate of the peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Land and security guarantees have been at the heart of ongoing disputes for negotiators.
• Moscow has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's forces must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, refusing any middle ground over how to finish the war.
• Zelensky has so far ruled out giving up any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its forces to an designated point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Moscow presently holds about 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The areas form the area of Donbas.

The earlier US-led 28-point framework that was widely leaked to the media last year was viewed by Kyiv and its European allies as being heavily skewed in Moscow's direction.

This triggered weeks of high-level negotiations – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to adjust the proposal.

Last month, Kyiv submitted the US an updated framework – as well as additional documents detailing potential defense assurances and provisions for Ukraine's rebuilding, he stated.