Britain and France Plan to Send Military Personnel to the Country if a Ceasefire Accord is Reached
The UK and France have signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the stationing of troops in the nation if a peace deal be struck with Russia, the Prime Minister of Britain, Keir Starmer, has announced.
After talks with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he said that the allies would "set up military hubs throughout Ukraine and construct fortified installations for weapons and military equipment" to deter any future invasion.
The allied nations also suggested that the United States would take the lead in verifying a halt in hostilities.
The Kremlin has repeatedly warned that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has as yet not commented on this new declaration.
Background and Continuing War
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Russia at this time occupies roughly 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.
"This is a vital part of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future," stated the UK Prime Minister.
Heads of state and senior officials from the "Allied Coalition" participated in the Paris negotiations.
He stated at a joint press conference, he added: "It creates the pathway for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could work on Ukrainian soil, defending Ukraine's airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's military for the time to come."
The British leader also stated that London would be involved in any Washington-directed verification of a possible cessation of hostilities.
Security Guarantees and Negotiation Stances
Lead American diplomat Steve Witkoff stated that "durable security guarantees and robust reconstruction vows are vital to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – referring to a key demand made by Ukraine.
Witkoff noted the coalition had "substantially agreed on" their work on establishing such assurances "in order that the people of Ukraine know that when this hostilities ends, it ends permanently."
Donald Trump's son-in-law, ex-President Donald Trump's representative, also participated in the discussions.
At the same time, President Macron Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's partners had made "major advances" at the negotiations.
He added that "robust" defense assurances for Kyiv had been settled upon in the case of a prospective ceasefire.
Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "major advance" had been made in Paris, but added that he would only deem efforts to be "enough" if they culminated in the end of the conflict.
Recently, he said a settlement was "90% ready". Finalizing the remaining 10% would "decide the fate of the agreement, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".
Remaining Challenges
- Land and defense assurances have been at the forefront of key disagreements for diplomats.
- Moscow has consistently stated that Kyiv's military must retreat from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, rejecting any compromise over how to finish the war.
- Zelensky has to date ruled out ceding any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its forces to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia does the same.
Moscow currently controls approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk. The areas form the heartland of Donbas.
The earlier US-led comprehensive framework that was circulated to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its European allies as being strongly biased in Russia's favor.
This led to weeks of intensive discussions – with the involved parties trying to adjust the draft.
Last month, Ukraine sent the US an updated 20-point plan – as well as separate documents detailing potential defense assurances and arrangements for Ukraine's reconstruction, Zelensky said.