UK and France Will Dispatch Forces to Ukraine should a Peace Agreement is Finalized

The British and French governments have formalized a memorandum of understanding concerning the stationing of armed personnel in the nation if a ceasefire be concluded with Russia, the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has announced.

Subsequent to negotiations with allied nations in Paris, he indicated that the UK and France would "set up operational bases in various parts of Ukraine and build fortified installations for military hardware and military equipment" to deter any future incursion.

The partner countries also proposed that the US would play the primary role in verifying a ceasefire.

The Kremlin has consistently stated that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has as yet not commented on this recent development.

Context and Continuing War

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin launched a major offensive of Ukraine in early 2022, and Russian forces at this time occupies approximately 20% of the country's land.

"This is a vital part of our pledge to be alongside Ukraine for the foreseeable future," stated the UK Prime Minister.

Heads of state and senior officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" took part in the recent discussions.

Addressing reporters at a shared media briefing, the Prime Minister added: "It creates the pathway for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could function on the ground in Ukraine, securing Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and restoring Ukraine's defense capabilities for the future."

The PM added that Britain would participate in any Washington-directed confirmation of a possible truce.

Protection Pledges and Diplomatic Positions

Lead American diplomat Steve Witkoff said that "durable safety pledges and strong prosperity commitments are critical to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – referring to a major condition made by Kyiv.

He noted the coalition had "largely finished" their work on finalizing such assurances "to ensure the people of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends forever."

Jared Kushner, ex-President Donald Trump's special envoy, also was involved in the negotiations.

Meanwhile, President Macron Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's allies had made "major advances" at the negotiations.

He noted that "robust" defense assurances for Kyiv had been reached in the instance of a possible ceasefire.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "major advance" had been made in Paris, but qualified that he would only view efforts to be "adequate" if they culminated in the cessation of the fighting.

Recently, he indicated a peace deal was "90% ready". Agreeing on the outstanding 10% would "determine the future of peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Sovereign soil and defense assurances have been at the center of unresolved issues for negotiators.
• Putin has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must retreat from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war.
• The Ukrainian President has thus far ruled out ceding any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could move its troops to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

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

The original US-led comprehensive proposal that was extensively reported to the media last year was seen by Kyiv and its European allies as being disproportionately favorable in Russia's favor.

This led to a period of high-level negotiations – with all sides trying to revise the draft.

The previous month, Kyiv sent the US an revised 20-point plan – as well as separate documents describing possible defense assurances and provisions for Ukraine's recovery, the President stated.