UK and France Plan to Send Military Personnel to Ukraine should a Ceasefire Accord is Finalized

The UK and France have inked a memorandum of understanding concerning the stationing of troops in Ukraine should a peace deal be struck with Moscow, the British leader, Keir Starmer, has announced.

Subsequent to negotiations with Kyiv's partners in the French capital, he noted that the two nations would "set up defense centers across Ukraine and build secure installations for weapons and equipment" to discourage any future incursion.

The partner countries also proposed that the United States would play the primary role in verifying a truce.

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

Context and Continuing War

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

"This constitutes a crucial element of our commitment to be alongside Ukraine for the foreseeable future," commented the British leader.

National leaders and high-ranking officials from the "Allied Coalition" were involved in the Paris negotiations.

He stated at a shared media briefing, Starmer further said: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could function on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukraine's airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the years ahead."

The British leader also stated that Britain would take part in any US-led monitoring of a prospective cessation of hostilities.

Security Guarantees and Diplomatic Positions

Top Washington representative Steve Witkoff remarked that "long-term security guarantees and substantial economic promises are vital to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – referring to a major requirement made by Ukraine.

He indicated the allies had "mostly completed" their work on finalizing such guarantees "in order that the citizens of Ukraine know that when this hostilities ends, it ends forever."

Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's special envoy, also participated in the discussions.

At the same time, President Macron Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's supporters had made "major progress" at the talks.

He added that "strong" security guarantees for Kyiv had been reached in the case of a potential ceasefire.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "huge development" had been made in the talks, but qualified that he would only view efforts to be "sufficient" if they led to the cessation of the fighting.

Earlier, Zelensky suggested a settlement was "mostly finalized". Agreeing on the last 10% would "determine the future of the agreement, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Land and defense assurances have been at the forefront of ongoing disputes for negotiators.
• The Russian President has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must retreat from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will occupy it, dismissing any compromise over how to conclude the war.
• The Ukrainian President has so far rejected giving up any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could move its troops to an designated point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

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

The original US-led multi-point framework that was circulated to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its European allies as being heavily skewed in Russia's favor.

This sparked weeks of focused discussions – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to amend the draft.

Recently, Kyiv submitted the US an new proposal – as well as distinct documents describing possible security guarantees and arrangements for Ukraine's rebuilding, Zelensky said.