Britain and France Plan to Send Forces to Ukraine if a Peace Deal is Finalized

The British and French governments have signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the positioning of troops in the nation if a ceasefire be concluded with Russia, the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has declared.

Following discussions with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he indicated that the UK and France would "set up defense centers in various parts of Ukraine and construct protected structures for weapons and equipment" to deter any potential invasion.

The coalition members also suggested that the United States would take the lead in verifying a ceasefire.

The Kremlin has consistently cautioned that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has so far not responded on this recent announcement.

Context and Continuing Hostilities

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin began a major offensive of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow currently occupies about 20% of the country's land.

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

Top officials and high-ranking officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" took part in the Paris negotiations.

Speaking at a shared media briefing, the Prime Minister further said: "It establishes the framework for the juridical structure under which allied and coalition forces could operate on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and restoring Ukraine's defense capabilities for the future."

The PM also stated that London would take part in any Washington-directed verification of a possible ceasefire.

Protection Pledges and Diplomatic Positions

Senior US negotiator Steve Witkoff remarked that "lasting defense assurances and strong reconstruction vows are essential to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – referring to a key condition made by the Ukrainian government.

Witkoff noted the partner nations had "mostly completed" their work on establishing such guarantees "so that the people of Ukraine know that when this hostilities ends, it ends permanently."

The former US envoy, former American President Donald Trump's representative, also was involved in the discussions.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's supporters had made "significant headway" at the meeting.

He said that "robust" security guarantees for the Ukrainian government had been agreed in the event of a possible truce.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "huge development" had been made in the talks, but added that he would only view efforts to be "enough" if they culminated in the conclusion of the fighting.

Recently, Zelensky said a peace deal was "largely prepared". Settling the remaining 10% would "decide the fate of peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Land and security guarantees have been at the center of unresolved issues for negotiators.
• Moscow has consistently stated that Kyiv's military must pull back from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will occupy it, dismissing any middle ground over how to conclude the war.
• Zelensky has thus far ruled out giving up any land, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Moscow currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the bordering Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts form the area of the Donbas.

The initial US-led multi-point proposal that was extensively reported to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its partners in Europe as being heavily skewed in Moscow's favor.

This sparked a period of focused negotiations – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to amend the draft.

The previous month, Ukraine presented the US an new framework – as well as distinct documents detailing prospective defense assurances and arrangements for Ukraine's recovery, the President added.