The United Kingdom and France Will Dispatch Military Personnel to the Country if a Peace Deal is Finalized

The British and French governments have inked a memorandum of understanding concerning the deployment of military forces in Ukraine in the event a ceasefire be concluded with Russia, the British leader, Keir Starmer, has announced.

Following discussions with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he said that the two nations would "set up military hubs across Ukraine and construct secure installations for military hardware and defense matériel" to deter any future invasion.

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

The Kremlin has repeatedly stated that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has so far not commented on this new declaration.

Background and Continuing Hostilities

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a major offensive of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russia currently occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This represents an essential component of our vow to stand with Ukraine for the duration," stated the British leader.

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

Addressing reporters at a combined announcement, Starmer noted: "It establishes the framework for the juridical structure under which British, French, and partner forces could work on Ukrainian soil, defending Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's defense capabilities for the future."

The PM went on to say that the UK would participate in any American-headed verification of a potential ceasefire.

Defense Assurances and Diplomatic Positions

Top US negotiator Steve Witkoff remarked that "long-term defense assurances and substantial reconstruction vows are critical to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – mentioning a central demand made by Kyiv.

The negotiator said the coalition had "mostly completed" their work on agreeing such guarantees "in order 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 special envoy, also participated in the talks.

Separately, President Macron Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's allies had made "considerable advances" at the talks.

He said that "comprehensive" security guarantees for Ukraine had been reached in the instance of a prospective truce.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "huge development" had been made in Paris, but qualified that he would only deem efforts to be "adequate" if they culminated in the cessation of the conflict.

Earlier, the Ukrainian leader indicated a peace agreement was "mostly finalized". Settling the last 10% would "determine the future of the agreement, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Land and security guarantees have been at the heart of key disagreements for diplomats.
• Putin has consistently stated that Kyiv's military must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will take control, dismissing any compromise over how to conclude the war.
• The Ukrainian President has so far ruled out ceding any territory, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could pull back its forces to an designated point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Moscow presently holds approximately 75% of the Donetsk oblast and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk region. The areas form the heartland of Donbas.

The original US-led comprehensive framework that was circulated to the media last year was seen by Ukraine and its EU supporters as being strongly biased in Russia's direction.

This led to weeks of high-level diplomacy – with all sides trying to revise the draft.

Last month, Ukraine presented the US an revised 20-point plan – as well as additional documents describing possible defense assurances and provisions for Ukraine's rebuilding, the President added.