The United Kingdom and France Plan to Send Forces to Ukraine in the event that a Peace Deal is Reached

The London and Paris have signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the positioning of armed personnel in Ukraine in the event a peace agreement be concluded with Moscow, the UK Prime Minister, Starmer, has stated.

Subsequent to talks with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he indicated that the allies would "establish defense centers in various parts of Ukraine and erect fortified structures for military hardware and equipment" to deter any potential attack.

The allied nations also proposed that the US would take the lead in verifying a ceasefire.

The Kremlin has on multiple occasions stated that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has so far not responded on this latest announcement.

Context and Ongoing Hostilities

Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a major offensive of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Russian forces at this time holds approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This represents an essential component of our pledge to be alongside Ukraine for the foreseeable future," remarked the UK Prime Minister.

Top officials and senior officials from the "Partner Group" were involved in Tuesday's talks.

Addressing reporters at a joint press conference, he added: "It establishes the framework for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could work on the ground in Ukraine, protecting Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and restoring Ukraine's military for the years ahead."

The UK prime minister went on to say that Britain would take part in any US-led confirmation of a potential cessation of hostilities.

Defense Assurances and Negotiation Stances

Senior American diplomat Steve Witkoff remarked that "durable defense assurances and robust prosperity commitments are essential to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – mentioning a major condition made by the Ukrainian government.

He noted the partner nations had "mostly completed" their work on finalizing such pledges "so that the people of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends for good."

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

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

He added that "strong" safety pledges for the Ukrainian government had been settled upon in the instance of a prospective truce.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "significant step forward" had been made in the negotiations, but qualified that he would only consider efforts to be "enough" if they culminated in the cessation of the war.

Recently, he suggested a settlement was "90% ready". Finalizing the remaining 10% would "determine the fate of peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Land and defense assurances have been at the center of key disagreements for negotiators.
• The Russian President has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's forces must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will occupy it, rejecting any concession over how to finish the war.
• Kyiv has to date rejected surrendering any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could move its forces to an designated point – but only if Russia does the same.

Moscow currently occupies about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the bordering Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts form the heartland of the Donbas.

The original US-led multi-point proposal that was circulated to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its partners in Europe as being heavily skewed in Russia's direction.

This triggered a period of intensive discussions – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to revise the draft.

Recently, Ukraine sent the US an new 20-point plan – as well as additional documents describing potential defense assurances and provisions for Ukraine's reconstruction, he said.