UK and France Plan to Send Forces to Ukraine in the event that a Peace Agreement is Finalized

The British and French governments have signed a statement of purpose concerning the stationing of military forces in the nation if a peace agreement be concluded with Moscow, the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has announced.

After discussions with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he said that the UK and France would "establish operational bases across Ukraine and construct secure installations for military hardware and military equipment" to deter any subsequent invasion.

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

Moscow has on multiple occasions warned that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has so far not issued a statement on this recent announcement.

The Situation and Continuing War

Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Russia presently holds about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This is a vital part of our vow to be alongside Ukraine for the long-term," stated the UK Prime Minister.

National leaders and high-ranking officials from the "Partner Group" participated in the Paris negotiations.

Speaking at a joint press conference, he further said: "It creates the pathway for the juridical structure under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukraine's airspace and waters, and restoring Ukraine's armed forces for the future."

The PM went on to say that London would be involved in any US-led monitoring of a prospective ceasefire.

Protection Pledges and Negotiation Stances

Senior US negotiator Steve Witkoff remarked that "long-term defense assurances and strong economic promises are critical to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – referring to a major requirement made by Kyiv.

The negotiator indicated the allies had "substantially agreed on" their work on establishing such guarantees "in order that the people of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends permanently."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, ex-President Donald Trump's advisor, also took part in the negotiations.

Separately, President Macron Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's supporters had made "major progress" at the meeting.

He added that "comprehensive" defense assurances for Kyiv had been agreed in the instance of a prospective truce.

President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "significant development" had been made in Paris, but qualified that he would only view efforts to be "adequate" if they led to the end of the fighting.

Recently, he said a peace deal was "mostly finalized". Settling the last 10% would "determine the future of the agreement, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Land and defense assurances have been at the heart of unresolved issues for the parties involved.
• Putin has repeatedly warned that Kyiv's military must pull back from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will occupy it, dismissing any middle ground over how to end the war.
• Zelensky has to date rejected surrendering any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could move its forces to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia does the same.

Russia currently holds approximately 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions form the industrial region of Donbas.

The initial US-led 28-point proposal that was circulated to the media last year was seen by Ukraine and its European allies as being disproportionately favorable in Russia's favor.

This sparked weeks of focused discussions – with the involved parties trying to revise the proposal.

Recently, Kyiv submitted the US an updated framework – as well as distinct documents describing potential security guarantees and plans for Ukraine's recovery, Zelensky added.