UK and France to Deploy Troops to the Country in the event that a Peace Agreement is Finalized

The British and French governments have inked a memorandum of understanding concerning the deployment of armed personnel in Ukraine if a ceasefire be made with Moscow, the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has declared.

Subsequent to talks with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he noted that the UK and France would "set up military hubs in various parts of Ukraine and build protected installations for military hardware and military equipment" to discourage any subsequent attack.

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

The Kremlin has on multiple occasions stated that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has not yet responded on this new development.

Background and Ongoing War

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin launched a major offensive of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces presently controls approximately 20% of the country's land.

"This is a vital part of our vow to support Ukraine for the duration," stated the British leader.

Heads of state and senior officials from the "Partner Group" participated in Tuesday's talks.

He stated at a combined announcement, he added: "It creates the pathway for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and rebuilding Ukraine's defense capabilities for the years ahead."

The British leader also stated that London would take part in any American-headed verification of a prospective ceasefire.

Security Guarantees and Negotiation Stances

Top American diplomat Steve Witkoff said that "long-term security guarantees and strong economic promises are vital to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – mentioning a central demand made by Ukraine.

The negotiator noted the allies had "largely finished" their work on agreeing such assurances "so that the citizens of Ukraine know that when this hostilities ends, it ends forever."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, former American President Donald Trump's representative, also participated in the discussions.

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's supporters had made "considerable headway" at the negotiations.

He said that "comprehensive" safety pledges for Kyiv had been settled upon in the instance of a possible ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "significant step forward" had been made in Paris, but qualified that he would only consider efforts to be "sufficient" if they culminated in the conclusion of the fighting.

Earlier, he said a peace deal was "mostly finalized". Agreeing on the last 10% would "shape the fate of the agreement, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Territory and security guarantees have been at the center of unresolved issues for diplomats.
• Moscow has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, refusing any concession over how to finish the war.
• The Ukrainian President has to date rejected surrendering any territory, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could pull back its troops to an agreed point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Russia currently holds approximately 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the heartland of the Donbas.

The earlier US-led comprehensive proposal that was extensively reported to the media last year was viewed by Kyiv and its European allies as being heavily skewed in Moscow's favor.

This triggered weeks of intensive negotiations – with all sides trying to adjust the draft.

Recently, Ukraine submitted the US an revised proposal – as well as separate documents outlining possible defense assurances and provisions for Ukraine's reconstruction, Zelensky said.