Britain and France Will Dispatch Forces to the Country should a Peace Agreement is Finalized

The British and French governments have formalized a statement of purpose concerning the deployment of troops in the nation in the event a peace deal be concluded with Russia, the Prime Minister of Britain, Keir Starmer, has declared.

Following discussions with Kyiv's partners in Paris, he noted that the UK and France would "create operational bases across Ukraine and build fortified installations for military hardware and military equipment" to prevent any subsequent attack.

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

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

The Situation and Ongoing Hostilities

Russian President Vladimir Putin began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russia at this time occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This constitutes a crucial element of our vow to support Ukraine for the long-term," stated the UK Prime Minister.

Heads of state and top officials from the "Partner Group" took part in the recent discussions.

Addressing reporters at a combined announcement, the Prime Minister added: "It establishes the framework for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on the ground in Ukraine, securing Ukraine's airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's defense capabilities for the future."

The British leader added that Britain would participate in any Washington-directed monitoring of a potential truce.

Security Guarantees and Negotiation Stances

Lead Washington representative Steve Witkoff said that "lasting defense assurances and substantial reconstruction vows are vital to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – mentioning a central condition made by Ukraine.

Witkoff indicated the allies had "mostly completed" their work on agreeing such guarantees "so that the people of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends for good."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, US President Donald Trump's advisor, also took part in the discussions.

At the same time, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's supporters had made "significant headway" at the meeting.

He noted that "comprehensive" safety pledges for the Ukrainian government had been reached in the instance of a potential ceasefire.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "huge advance" had been made in the negotiations, but added that he would only consider efforts to be "adequate" if they led to the cessation of the war.

Last week, the Ukrainian leader indicated a peace agreement was "90% ready". Finalizing the last 10% would "decide the future of the agreement, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Land and defense assurances have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for negotiators.
• The Russian President has often said that Kyiv's military must retreat from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will take control, rejecting any middle ground over how to finish the war.
• Kyiv has thus far rejected ceding any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could pull back its troops to an designated point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Moscow currently occupies approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk region. The two regions form the industrial region of Donbas.

The earlier US-led multi-point peace plan that was widely leaked to the media last year was viewed by Ukraine and its European allies as being disproportionately favorable in Moscow's favor.

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

Last month, The Ukrainian government submitted the US an updated framework – as well as additional documents outlining prospective defense assurances and provisions for Ukraine's rebuilding, Zelensky said.