UK and France Plan to Send Military Personnel to the Country if a Peace Agreement is Finalized

The British and French governments have inked a memorandum of understanding concerning the deployment of military forces in the nation in the event a ceasefire be made with Moscow, the British leader, Sir Keir Starmer, has stated.

Subsequent to negotiations with allied nations in Paris, he indicated that the UK and France would "establish operational bases in various parts of Ukraine and build secure structures for military hardware and equipment" to prevent any future attack.

The allied nations also proposed that the United States would take the lead in verifying a halt in hostilities.

Russia has on multiple occasions stated that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has so far not issued a statement on this latest declaration.

The Situation and Continuing Conflict

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces presently controls roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This represents an essential component of our pledge to be alongside Ukraine for the long-term," commented Starmer.

Heads of state and senior officials from the "Partner Group" took part in the recent discussions.

Speaking at a joint press conference, the Prime Minister added: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which British, French, and partner forces could work on the ground in Ukraine, securing Ukraine's airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's defense capabilities for the years ahead."

The UK prime minister also stated that Britain would participate in any US-led confirmation of a prospective cessation of hostilities.

Defense Assurances and Negotiation Stances

Senior Washington representative Steve Witkoff stated that "lasting safety pledges and robust prosperity commitments are essential to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – alluding to a key condition made by Kyiv.

The negotiator indicated the coalition had "largely finished" their work on finalizing such pledges "so that the people of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends forever."

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

Separately, President Macron Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's supporters had made "significant advances" at the talks.

He said that "strong" defense assurances for Ukraine had been settled upon in the case of a potential truce.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "major advance" had been made in the talks, but added that he would only view efforts to be "sufficient" if they culminated in the end of the war.

Recently, the Ukrainian leader said a peace deal was "largely prepared". Agreeing on the remaining 10% would "shape the outcome of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Sovereign soil and security guarantees have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for the parties involved.
• Moscow has often said that Ukraine's forces must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will take control, refusing any middle ground over how to conclude the war.
• Kyiv has so far ruled out giving up any territory, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could move its troops to an designated point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Russian forces currently occupies about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk region. The areas form the industrial region of the Donbas.

The initial US-led 28-point proposal that was widely leaked to the media last year was perceived by Ukraine and its partners in Europe as being disproportionately favorable in Russia's direction.

This triggered weeks of high-level discussions – with the involved parties trying to adjust the draft.

Last month, Ukraine submitted the US an updated framework – as well as additional documents outlining possible security guarantees and plans for Ukraine's reconstruction, he said.