Britain and France to Deploy Forces to Ukraine should a Peace Agreement is Finalized

The UK and France have formalized a statement of purpose concerning the deployment of military forces in Ukraine should a peace deal be struck with Russia, the British leader, Sir Keir Starmer, has stated.

Following talks with Kyiv's partners in the French capital, he noted that the UK and France would "set up defense centers in various parts of Ukraine and construct secure facilities for military hardware and defense matériel" to deter any subsequent invasion.

The partner countries also suggested that the US would assume leadership in monitoring a halt in hostilities.

Moscow has on multiple occasions warned that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has as yet not issued a statement on this latest announcement.

Background and Ongoing Hostilities

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Moscow presently occupies approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This represents an essential component of our vow to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future," commented the British leader.

Top officials and high-ranking officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" were involved in the Paris negotiations.

Speaking at a shared media briefing, he noted: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could function on Ukraine's territory, defending Ukraine's airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's defense capabilities for the years ahead."

The PM went on to say that Britain would participate in any American-headed verification of a potential ceasefire.

Security Guarantees and Diplomatic Positions

Lead Washington representative Steve Witkoff stated that "lasting safety pledges and strong prosperity commitments are critical to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – alluding to a key condition made by the Ukrainian government.

He indicated the allies had "substantially agreed on" their work on agreeing such pledges "in order that the citizens of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends for good."

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

Separately, President Macron Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's partners had made "considerable progress" at the meeting.

He said that "robust" defense assurances for Ukraine had been agreed in the event of a possible ceasefire.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "huge step forward" had been made in the talks, but cautioned that he would only consider efforts to be "enough" if they culminated in the conclusion of the conflict.

Last week, the Ukrainian leader said a peace deal was "mostly finalized". Finalizing the outstanding 10% would "determine the future of the peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Territory and security guarantees have been at the center of key disagreements for negotiators.
• Moscow has consistently stated that Kyiv's military must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, dismissing any concession over how to conclude the war.
• Zelensky has so far rejected ceding any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could move its troops to an agreed point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Russia presently holds about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions form the area of the Donbas.

The earlier US-led comprehensive proposal that was circulated to the media last year was viewed by Kyiv and its partners in Europe as being heavily skewed in Moscow's direction.

This sparked a period of intensive diplomacy – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to amend the draft.

Recently, The Ukrainian government sent the US an revised proposal – as well as separate documents describing prospective defense assurances and arrangements for Ukraine's reconstruction, he said.