The United Kingdom and France to Deploy Forces to the Country in the event that a Peace Agreement is Agreed

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

After talks with Kyiv's partners in the French capital, he indicated that the two nations would "establish operational bases across Ukraine and construct fortified structures for weapons and equipment" to prevent any subsequent incursion.

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

Moscow has consistently warned that any foreign troops 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 initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russia presently occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This constitutes a crucial element of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the duration," remarked the British leader.

Top officials and high-ranking officials from the "Partner Group" took part in the recent discussions.

Speaking at a combined announcement, Starmer noted: "It creates the pathway for the operational parameters under which allied and coalition forces could work on Ukraine's territory, defending Ukraine's airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the years ahead."

The UK prime minister went on to say that Britain would participate in any American-headed verification of a potential truce.

Defense Assurances and Diplomatic Positions

Top Washington representative Steve Witkoff said that "lasting defense assurances and substantial reconstruction vows are critical to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – mentioning a major demand made by Ukraine.

Witkoff indicated the allies had "mostly completed" their work on finalizing such assurances "so that the Ukrainian people know that when this war ends, it ends for good."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, ex-President Donald Trump's representative, also took part in the discussions.

Separately, President Macron Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's allies had made "considerable advances" at the meeting.

He said that "comprehensive" defense assurances for Ukraine had been agreed in the instance of a potential truce.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "major advance" had been made in Paris, but qualified that he would only view efforts to be "adequate" if they led to the end of the fighting.

Last week, the Ukrainian leader suggested a peace deal was "largely prepared". Agreeing on the outstanding 10% would "shape the outcome of the peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Land and defense assurances have been at the center of unresolved issues for negotiators.
• Moscow has consistently stated that Ukraine's forces must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will take control, dismissing any middle ground over how to conclude the war.
• The Ukrainian President has thus far ruled out giving up any land, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could move its forces to an agreed point – but only if Russia follows suit.

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

The original US-led multi-point framework that was circulated to the media last year was viewed by Kyiv and its European allies as being disproportionately favorable in Russia's favor.

This led to weeks of high-level discussions – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to amend the document.

Recently, Kyiv presented the US an updated 20-point plan – as well as distinct documents describing possible defense assurances and arrangements for Ukraine's rebuilding, Zelensky stated.