UK and France Will Dispatch Troops to the Country in the event that a Peace Deal is Reached

The London and Paris have signed a statement of purpose concerning the deployment of troops in the nation in the event a peace agreement be made with Moscow, the British leader, Sir Keir Starmer, has stated.

Subsequent to discussions with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he indicated that the two nations would "create defense centers in various parts of Ukraine and build fortified installations for weapons and military equipment" to deter any subsequent incursion.

The coalition members also proposed that the United States would play the primary role in overseeing a ceasefire.

The Kremlin has repeatedly cautioned that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has as yet not commented on this new declaration.

Background and Continuing Conflict

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow at this time controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This is a vital part of our pledge to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future," stated the UK Prime Minister.

Heads of state and high-ranking officials from the "Partner Group" were involved in the Paris negotiations.

Speaking at a combined announcement, the Prime Minister noted: "It paves the way for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on the ground in Ukraine, protecting Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the years ahead."

The UK prime minister also stated that Britain would be involved in any Washington-directed verification of a potential cessation of hostilities.

Security Guarantees and Diplomatic Positions

Lead American diplomat Steve Witkoff stated that "lasting defense assurances and robust economic promises are vital to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – referring to a key condition made by Ukraine.

He indicated the coalition had "mostly completed" their work on establishing such guarantees "in order that the Ukrainian people know that when this conflict ends, it ends forever."

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

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's partners had made "significant headway" at the meeting.

He said that "comprehensive" security guarantees for Kyiv had been reached in the instance of a potential truce.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "huge advance" had been made in Paris, but cautioned that he would only view efforts to be "enough" if they culminated in the end of the fighting.

Earlier, the Ukrainian leader said a peace deal was "largely prepared". Finalizing the outstanding 10% would "determine the outcome of peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Territory and defense assurances have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for negotiators.
• The Russian President has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will take control, rejecting any middle ground over how to finish the war.
• The Ukrainian President has to date rejected ceding any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point – but only if Russia does the same.

Russia presently occupies about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The areas form the area of the Donbas.

The earlier US-led 28-point proposal that was widely leaked to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its partners in Europe as being strongly biased in Moscow's favor.

This sparked weeks of intensive diplomacy – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to revise the draft.

The previous month, Kyiv submitted the US an updated 20-point plan – as well as separate documents detailing potential defense assurances and arrangements for Ukraine's recovery, the President said.