UK and France Will Dispatch Troops to Ukraine should a Peace Deal is Agreed

The London and Paris have formalized a declaration of intent concerning the stationing of military forces in Ukraine in the event a peace deal be concluded with Moscow, the British leader, Keir Starmer, has declared.

After talks with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he noted that the UK and France would "create defense centers in various parts of Ukraine and erect protected installations for weapons and defense matériel" to discourage any future invasion.

The coalition members also proposed that the US would play the primary role in monitoring a ceasefire.

Moscow has on multiple occasions cautioned that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has not yet issued a statement on this recent announcement.

Background and Ongoing Conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin began a major offensive of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces at this time controls approximately 20% of the country's land.

"This represents an essential component of our vow to support Ukraine for the duration," remarked the UK Prime Minister.

National leaders and top officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" were involved in the recent discussions.

Addressing reporters at a joint press conference, he further said: "It creates the pathway for the operational parameters under which allied and coalition forces could function on Ukrainian soil, defending Ukraine's airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's defense capabilities for the time to come."

The British leader also stated that London would participate in any American-headed verification of a prospective truce.

Security Guarantees and Negotiation Stances

Top American diplomat Steve Witkoff remarked that "lasting safety pledges and strong economic promises are critical to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – mentioning a major demand made by the Ukrainian government.

He said the coalition had "mostly completed" their work on establishing such assurances "so that the Ukrainian people know that when this war ends, it ends forever."

Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's special envoy, also was involved in the talks.

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

He added that "robust" safety pledges for Ukraine had been agreed in the event of a possible truce.

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

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

Outstanding Matters

• Land and security guarantees have been at the center of key disagreements for diplomats.
• Moscow has often said that Ukrainian troops must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, refusing any concession over how to end the war.
• The Ukrainian President has so far rejected surrendering any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an designated point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Moscow currently holds about 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The areas form the industrial region of Donbas.

The earlier US-led 28-point peace plan that was extensively reported to the media last year was seen by Ukraine and its EU supporters as being disproportionately favorable in Russia's favor.

This led to a period of intensive negotiations – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to amend the proposal.

Last month, The Ukrainian government presented the US an revised proposal – as well as separate documents outlining prospective security guarantees and arrangements for Ukraine's reconstruction, the President added.