Britain and France to Deploy Troops to Ukraine should a Peace Deal is Finalized

The UK and France have inked a statement of purpose concerning the positioning of military forces in the nation should a peace deal be made with Moscow, the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has stated.

After negotiations with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he said that the allies would "create operational bases throughout Ukraine and erect protected structures for arms and equipment" to discourage any potential incursion.

The partner countries also proposed that the United States would assume leadership in verifying a ceasefire.

Russia has consistently stated that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has as yet not responded on this latest declaration.

The Situation and Continuing Hostilities

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, and Russia presently holds approximately 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

"This represents an essential component of our pledge to be alongside Ukraine for the foreseeable future," stated the British leader.

Heads of state and senior officials from the "Allied Coalition" participated in Tuesday's talks.

Addressing reporters at a joint press conference, Starmer further said: "It establishes the framework for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could function on the ground in Ukraine, defending Ukraine's airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the time to come."

The British leader also stated that the UK would take part in any Washington-directed confirmation of a possible cessation of hostilities.

Defense Assurances and Diplomatic Positions

Top US negotiator Steve Witkoff remarked that "long-term safety pledges and strong economic promises are vital to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – alluding to a major condition made by Ukraine.

He indicated the coalition had "substantially agreed on" their work on finalizing such assurances "to ensure the Ukrainian people know that when this war ends, it ends for good."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, former American President Donald Trump's advisor, also took part in the talks.

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's partners had made "considerable advances" at the talks.

He noted that "comprehensive" defense assurances for Ukraine had been reached in the case of a potential ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "huge step forward" had been made in the negotiations, but added that he would only consider efforts to be "adequate" if they led to the cessation of the war.

Last week, Zelensky suggested a peace agreement was "90% ready". Agreeing on the last 10% would "determine the fate of the peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Land and defense assurances have been at the center of unresolved issues for the parties involved.
• The Russian President has consistently stated that Ukraine's forces must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, rejecting any concession over how to conclude the war.
• Zelensky has thus far ruled out giving up any territory, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could pull back its forces to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Russia presently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the bordering Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts form the heartland of Donbas.

The original US-led 28-point proposal that was circulated to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its partners in Europe as being heavily skewed in Moscow's direction.

This triggered weeks of focused negotiations – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to adjust the proposal.

The previous month, Ukraine submitted the US an new 20-point plan – as well as additional documents detailing potential defense assurances and arrangements for Ukraine's rebuilding, Zelensky said.