The United Kingdom and France Plan to Send Troops to the Country if a Peace Deal is Agreed

The British and French governments have signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the positioning of military forces in Ukraine should a peace agreement be struck with Moscow, the British leader, Sir Keir Starmer, has stated.

Following negotiations with Kyiv's partners in the French capital, he noted that the UK and France would "establish operational bases across Ukraine and construct protected facilities for military hardware and equipment" to prevent any potential invasion.

The coalition members also suggested that the United States would assume leadership in verifying a ceasefire.

Moscow has repeatedly cautioned that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has so far not commented on this new declaration.

The Situation and Continuing Conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces currently holds approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This constitutes a crucial element of our vow to be alongside Ukraine for the long-term," commented the British leader.

Top officials and top officials from the "Partner Group" took part in the recent discussions.

Addressing reporters at a joint press conference, Starmer further said: "It establishes the framework for the legal framework under which allied and coalition forces could work on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukraine's airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the time to come."

The UK prime minister went on to say that London would take part in any Washington-directed verification of a possible ceasefire.

Protection Pledges and Negotiation Stances

Senior Washington representative Steve Witkoff said that "durable security guarantees and substantial prosperity commitments are essential to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – mentioning a central demand made by Ukraine.

Witkoff noted the allies had "mostly completed" their work on finalizing such assurances "so that the people of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends permanently."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, ex-President Donald Trump's special envoy, also was involved in the discussions.

Separately, President Macron Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's allies had made "considerable headway" at the meeting.

He added that "comprehensive" defense assurances for Ukraine had been agreed in the instance of a potential ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "huge step forward" had been made in the negotiations, but added that he would only view efforts to be "adequate" if they led to the conclusion of the conflict.

Recently, the Ukrainian leader indicated a peace agreement was "mostly finalized". Settling the last 10% would "determine the future of the agreement, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Sovereign soil and defense assurances have been at the forefront of key disagreements for diplomats.
• Moscow has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must retreat from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will occupy it, dismissing any concession over how to end the war.
• Zelensky has thus far excluded surrendering any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could pull back its troops to an agreed point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Russian forces presently controls approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the bordering Luhansk. The areas form the heartland of the Donbas.

The earlier US-led 28-point peace plan that was widely leaked to the media last year was seen by Ukraine and its European allies as being strongly biased in Moscow's direction.

This triggered a period of focused negotiations – with all sides trying to revise the draft.

Last month, Ukraine sent the US an updated 20-point plan – as well as distinct documents describing potential defense assurances and arrangements for Ukraine's recovery, the President said.