The United Kingdom and France Plan to Send Forces to Ukraine in the event that a Peace Agreement is Reached
The British and French governments have formalized a memorandum of understanding concerning the positioning of military forces in Ukraine in the event a peace deal be made with Russia, the UK Prime Minister, Starmer, has declared.
After discussions with allied nations in the French capital, he indicated that the allies would "establish defense centers across Ukraine and erect secure structures for military hardware and equipment" to deter any future attack.
The partner countries also suggested that the US would play the primary role in monitoring a halt in hostilities.
The Kremlin has consistently cautioned that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has as yet not issued a statement on this latest development.
Background and Ongoing War
The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin initiated a major offensive of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Russia currently controls approximately 20% of the country's land.
"This is a vital part of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the long-term," stated the UK Prime Minister.
Top officials and top officials from the "Allied Coalition" were involved in the recent discussions.
He stated at a shared media briefing, he noted: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could function on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the future."
The PM also stated that Britain would participate in any American-headed confirmation of a potential ceasefire.
Protection Pledges and Diplomatic Positions
Top US negotiator Steve Witkoff said that "lasting safety pledges and strong reconstruction vows are essential to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – mentioning a key requirement made by Ukraine.
The negotiator said the coalition had "largely finished" their work on finalizing such pledges "to ensure the citizens of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends for good."
Jared Kushner, former American President Donald Trump's special envoy, also took part in the talks.
Meanwhile, President Macron Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's allies had made "major headway" at the negotiations.
He added that "comprehensive" security guarantees for Kyiv had been agreed in the case of a prospective ceasefire.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "major step forward" had been made in Paris, but qualified that he would only view efforts to be "sufficient" if they culminated in the conclusion of the fighting.
Last week, he indicated a settlement was "90% ready". Settling the remaining 10% would "determine the fate of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".
Remaining Challenges
- Sovereign soil and security guarantees have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for diplomats.
- Putin has consistently stated that Ukraine's forces must retreat from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, dismissing any compromise over how to conclude the war.
- Kyiv has so far rejected ceding any territory, but has suggested 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 region and some 99% of the bordering Luhansk region. The two regions form the industrial region of Donbas.
The initial US-led comprehensive peace plan that was extensively reported to the media last year was viewed by Ukraine and its partners in Europe as being disproportionately favorable in Moscow's favor.
This led to weeks of high-level diplomacy – with all sides trying to revise the proposal.
The previous month, Kyiv sent the US an updated 20-point plan – as well as separate documents detailing prospective defense assurances and provisions for Ukraine's rebuilding, the President added.
