Britain and France to Deploy Forces to Ukraine should a Peace Deal is Agreed

The UK and France have signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the positioning of armed personnel in Ukraine in the event a peace agreement be concluded with Russia, the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has announced.

Following negotiations with allied nations in the French capital, he noted that the allies would "establish operational bases in various parts of Ukraine and build secure facilities for weapons and military equipment" to deter any subsequent incursion.

The partner countries also put forward that the United States would take the lead in verifying a ceasefire.

Russia has repeatedly stated that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has not yet responded on this recent declaration.

The Situation and Continuing War

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces currently occupies roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This represents an essential component of our vow to be alongside Ukraine for the duration," stated the UK Prime Minister.

Heads of state and high-ranking officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" participated in the Paris negotiations.

He stated at a combined announcement, he noted: "It paves the way 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 rebuilding Ukraine's defense capabilities for the future."

The PM also stated that the UK would be involved in any Washington-directed verification of a prospective ceasefire.

Defense Assurances and Diplomatic Positions

Senior US negotiator Steve Witkoff remarked that "lasting security guarantees and robust economic promises are critical to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – mentioning a central demand made by Kyiv.

The negotiator indicated the allies had "substantially agreed on" their work on establishing such assurances "to ensure the Ukrainian people know that when this conflict ends, it ends for good."

Jared Kushner, ex-President Donald Trump's advisor, also was involved in the discussions.

Separately, President Macron Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's allies had made "significant progress" at the negotiations.

He noted that "comprehensive" safety pledges for the Ukrainian government had been agreed in the event of a possible truce.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "significant step forward" had been made in Paris, but qualified that he would only consider efforts to be "adequate" if they led to the cessation of the war.

Earlier, the Ukrainian leader indicated a settlement was "mostly finalized". Finalizing the last 10% would "shape the outcome of the peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Sovereign soil and defense assurances have been at the heart of ongoing disputes for diplomats.
• Moscow has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must pull back from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, dismissing any compromise over how to conclude the war.
• Zelensky has so far excluded ceding any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could move its troops to an designated point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Russian forces currently occupies about 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions form the industrial region of Donbas.

The original US-led comprehensive framework that was extensively reported to the media last year was perceived by Ukraine and its partners in Europe as being heavily skewed in Russia's direction.

This led to a period of intensive negotiations – with the involved parties trying to adjust the document.

The previous month, Ukraine presented the US an revised proposal – as well as separate documents describing potential security guarantees and plans for Ukraine's recovery, he said.