Britain and France Will Dispatch Forces to the Country should a Peace Agreement is Reached

The London and Paris have formalized a memorandum of understanding concerning the deployment of military forces in Ukraine should a peace deal be concluded with Russia, the Prime Minister of Britain, Sir Keir Starmer, has announced.

Following negotiations with Kyiv's partners in Paris, he said that the two nations would "create operational bases in various parts of Ukraine and build fortified structures for arms and equipment" to discourage any subsequent attack.

The allied nations also put forward that the United States would assume leadership in verifying a halt in hostilities.

The Kremlin has consistently stated that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has not yet issued a statement on this recent declaration.

The Situation and Continuing Hostilities

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a major offensive of Ukraine in early 2022, and Moscow currently occupies approximately 20% of the country's land.

"This is a vital part of our vow to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future," commented Starmer.

Top officials and top officials from the "Partner Group" were involved in the Paris negotiations.

Speaking at a shared media briefing, the Prime Minister noted: "It establishes the framework for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and rebuilding Ukraine's defense capabilities for the future."

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

Defense Assurances and Negotiation Stances

Senior US negotiator Steve Witkoff said that "lasting safety pledges and substantial reconstruction vows are vital to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – alluding to a key condition made by Kyiv.

The negotiator noted the coalition had "mostly completed" their work on finalizing such pledges "so that the Ukrainian people know that when this conflict ends, it ends forever."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, US President Donald Trump's advisor, also was involved in the discussions.

Separately, President Macron Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's partners had made "significant advances" at the talks.

He said that "comprehensive" security guarantees for Ukraine had been settled upon in the instance of a potential truce.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "major advance" had been made in the negotiations, but added that he would only deem efforts to be "sufficient" if they led to the cessation of the war.

Recently, he said a peace agreement was "90% ready". Agreeing on the remaining 10% would "shape the future of the agreement, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Territory and security guarantees have been at the center of ongoing disputes for diplomats.
• The Russian President has often said that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, refusing any concession over how to finish the war.
• Zelensky has to date excluded surrendering any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could pull back its troops to an agreed point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Russia presently holds approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the bordering Luhansk. The two regions form the heartland of the Donbas.

The initial US-led comprehensive proposal that was widely leaked to the media last year was seen by Ukraine and its EU supporters as being heavily skewed in Moscow's favor.

This triggered a period of focused negotiations – with the involved parties trying to amend the draft.

Recently, Ukraine sent the US an updated 20-point plan – as well as separate documents outlining potential security guarantees and provisions for Ukraine's recovery, the President stated.