Britain and France to Deploy Forces to Ukraine if a Ceasefire Accord is Reached

The UK and France have signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the deployment of armed personnel in Ukraine should a peace agreement be concluded with Russia, the UK Prime Minister, Starmer, has stated.

Following negotiations with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he indicated that the allies would "set up military hubs across Ukraine and construct secure structures for arms and defense matériel" to deter any subsequent invasion.

The coalition members also put forward that the America would assume leadership in overseeing a halt in hostilities.

The Kremlin has repeatedly stated 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.

Context and Ongoing Conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a major offensive of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow at this time controls approximately 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

"This is a vital part of our pledge to stand with Ukraine for the duration," remarked the British leader.

National leaders and high-ranking officials from the "Partner Group" participated in the recent discussions.

He stated at a joint press conference, he further said: "It paves the way for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could work on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the years ahead."

The British leader also stated that London would take part in any American-headed confirmation of a possible cessation of hostilities.

Protection Pledges and Diplomatic Positions

Top Washington representative Steve Witkoff remarked that "durable safety pledges and substantial economic promises are essential to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – mentioning a central requirement made by the Ukrainian government.

The negotiator noted the coalition had "substantially agreed on" their work on establishing such guarantees "so that the citizens of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends permanently."

The former US envoy, ex-President Donald Trump's representative, also participated in the talks.

Meanwhile, President Macron Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's supporters had made "considerable advances" at the negotiations.

He said that "robust" safety pledges for Ukraine had been agreed in the event of a potential truce.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "major development" had been made in Paris, but added that he would only view efforts to be "sufficient" if they culminated in the conclusion of the war.

Last week, Zelensky indicated a peace deal was "largely prepared". Agreeing on the outstanding 10% would "decide the fate of the agreement, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Sovereign soil and security guarantees have been at the center of key disagreements for the parties involved.
• Moscow has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's forces must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, dismissing any compromise over how to finish the war.
• Kyiv has thus far ruled out giving up any land, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could pull back its troops to an designated point – but only if Russia does the same.

Russia currently occupies about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the area of Donbas.

The earlier US-led 28-point framework that was circulated to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its European allies as being strongly biased in Moscow's favor.

This sparked a period of high-level diplomacy – with the involved parties trying to revise the draft.

Recently, Ukraine submitted the US an new framework – as well as distinct documents outlining possible defense assurances and plans for Ukraine's recovery, he stated.