The United Kingdom and France Will Dispatch Forces to the Country if a Peace Agreement is Reached

The UK and France have signed a statement of purpose concerning the stationing of military forces in Ukraine if a peace deal be made with Moscow, the UK Prime Minister, Starmer, has stated.

After talks with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he noted that the two nations would "establish defense centers across Ukraine and build secure installations for military hardware and military equipment" to discourage any potential attack.

The allied nations also proposed that the US would assume leadership in monitoring a truce.

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

The Situation and Continuing Hostilities

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russia at this time occupies approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This is a vital part of our vow to stand with Ukraine for the long-term," commented the British leader.

National leaders and top officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" participated in the Paris negotiations.

Speaking at a joint press conference, the Prime Minister noted: "It creates the pathway for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could function on the ground in Ukraine, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and restoring Ukraine's military for the years ahead."

The UK prime minister added that London would be involved in any American-headed confirmation of a potential ceasefire.

Protection Pledges and Negotiation Stances

Lead American diplomat Steve Witkoff remarked that "lasting safety pledges and strong economic promises are essential to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – alluding to a key condition made by the Ukrainian government.

Witkoff noted the coalition had "mostly completed" their work on agreeing such pledges "in order that the Ukrainian people know that when this conflict ends, it ends for good."

The former US envoy, US President Donald Trump's representative, also took part in the negotiations.

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's allies had made "considerable progress" at the talks.

He noted that "strong" safety pledges for Kyiv had been settled upon in the event of a potential ceasefire.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "huge development" had been made in the talks, but added that he would only view efforts to be "enough" if they resulted in the cessation of the conflict.

Earlier, Zelensky indicated a settlement was "mostly finalized". Settling the last 10% would "determine the fate of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Sovereign soil and security guarantees have been at the forefront of ongoing disputes for negotiators.
• Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, refusing any concession over how to conclude the war.
• Zelensky has so far ruled out surrendering 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.

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

The earlier US-led 28-point peace plan that was circulated to the media last year was viewed by Ukraine and its EU supporters as being heavily skewed in Moscow's favor.

This led to weeks of high-level diplomacy – with all sides trying to adjust the draft.

The previous month, Kyiv submitted the US an revised proposal – as well as additional documents describing potential defense assurances and plans for Ukraine's recovery, he said.