The United Kingdom and France Will Dispatch Troops to Ukraine if a Peace Agreement is Reached

The British and French governments have signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the positioning of military forces in Ukraine if a ceasefire be struck with Moscow, the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has declared.

Subsequent to negotiations with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he indicated that the two nations would "establish defense centers throughout Ukraine and erect secure structures for weapons and military equipment" to deter any potential invasion.

The allied nations also suggested that the US would take the lead in overseeing a ceasefire.

Russia has on multiple occasions warned that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has as yet not commented on this new declaration.

The Situation and Ongoing Hostilities

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin launched a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Russia at this time occupies roughly 20% of the country's land.

"This constitutes a crucial element of our vow to stand with Ukraine for the duration," commented the UK Prime Minister.

National leaders and senior officials from the "Allied Coalition" were involved in the recent discussions.

Speaking at a shared media briefing, Starmer noted: "It creates the pathway 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 defense capabilities for the years ahead."

The PM also stated that the UK would participate in any American-headed monitoring of a prospective ceasefire.

Security Guarantees and Diplomatic Positions

Senior US negotiator Steve Witkoff remarked that "durable security guarantees and substantial economic promises are critical to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – mentioning a key demand made by Kyiv.

The negotiator said the coalition had "largely finished" their work on establishing such assurances "so that the citizens of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends forever."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, ex-President Donald Trump's special envoy, also took part in the talks.

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

He said that "strong" safety pledges for the Ukrainian government had been agreed in the event of a possible ceasefire.

President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "huge advance" had been made in the negotiations, but added that he would only consider efforts to be "enough" if they culminated in the end of the war.

Earlier, Zelensky said a peace agreement was "largely prepared". Settling the outstanding 10% would "determine the fate of peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Sovereign soil and security guarantees have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for negotiators.
• Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's forces must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will occupy it, refusing any compromise over how to finish the war.
• Zelensky has so far ruled out surrendering any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Russian forces currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the bordering Luhansk. The two regions form the heartland of Donbas.

The original US-led multi-point proposal that was widely leaked to the media last year was viewed by Ukraine and its EU supporters as being strongly biased in Moscow's favor.

This led to weeks of high-level negotiations – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to amend the document.

Recently, The Ukrainian government submitted the US an revised framework – as well as distinct documents detailing prospective security guarantees and arrangements for Ukraine's reconstruction, Zelensky added.