Britain and France Will Dispatch Troops to the Country if a Ceasefire Accord is Agreed

The London and Paris have inked a memorandum of understanding concerning the stationing of armed personnel in the nation if a peace agreement be made with Moscow, the Prime Minister of Britain, Sir Keir Starmer, has stated.

After talks with Kyiv's partners in Paris, he indicated that the allies would "establish military hubs throughout Ukraine and erect protected facilities for arms and military equipment" to prevent any potential attack.

The partner countries also proposed that the US would play the primary role in overseeing a truce.

The Kremlin has consistently stated that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has so far not commented on this recent development.

Background and Continuing Hostilities

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin launched a major offensive of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russia currently occupies about 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

"This constitutes a crucial element of our commitment to be alongside Ukraine for the foreseeable future," remarked the UK Prime Minister.

Top officials and high-ranking officials from the "Allied Coalition" were involved in the recent discussions.

He stated at a joint press conference, Starmer noted: "It establishes the framework for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could work on the ground in Ukraine, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the future."

The UK prime minister added that London would take part in any American-headed verification of a potential ceasefire.

Protection Pledges and Diplomatic Positions

Top Washington representative Steve Witkoff stated that "lasting security guarantees and robust economic promises are vital to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – mentioning a key requirement made by Kyiv.

The negotiator indicated the coalition had "largely finished" their work on agreeing such pledges "in order that the people of Ukraine know that when this hostilities ends, it ends forever."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, ex-President Donald Trump's advisor, also participated in the discussions.

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

He added that "robust" safety pledges for the Ukrainian government had been agreed in the event of a potential ceasefire.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "major advance" had been made in the negotiations, but added that he would only deem efforts to be "sufficient" if they resulted in the end of the fighting.

Last week, the Ukrainian leader said a peace deal was "largely prepared". Agreeing on the remaining 10% would "decide the future of the peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Territory and defense assurances have been at the center of ongoing disputes for the parties involved.
• The Russian President has consistently stated that Ukraine's forces must retreat from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will take control, rejecting any middle ground over how to conclude the war.
• The Ukrainian President has thus far ruled out surrendering any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could pull back its forces to an agreed point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Russian forces currently holds approximately 75% of the Donetsk oblast and some 99% of the bordering Luhansk region. The two regions form the area of the Donbas.

The initial US-led comprehensive peace plan that was widely leaked to the media last year was viewed by Ukraine and its partners in Europe as being strongly biased in Moscow's favor.

This sparked weeks of focused discussions – with the involved parties trying to amend the document.

Last month, Kyiv sent the US an revised framework – as well as distinct documents describing potential security guarantees and arrangements for Ukraine's rebuilding, Zelensky stated.