UK and France Plan to Send Troops to Ukraine should a Peace Agreement is Agreed

The London and Paris have signed a declaration of intent concerning the stationing of troops in the nation if a ceasefire be concluded with Russia, the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has announced.

Subsequent to talks with Kyiv's partners in Paris, he noted that the two nations would "establish operational bases throughout Ukraine and erect fortified facilities for weapons and equipment" to deter any future invasion.

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

Moscow has on multiple occasions warned that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has so far not responded on this latest announcement.

Context and Continuing War

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin initiated a major offensive of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russia at this time holds about 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

"This is a vital part of our commitment to be alongside Ukraine for the long-term," remarked Starmer.

Top officials and high-ranking officials from the "Partner Group" took part in the Paris negotiations.

Speaking at a combined announcement, Starmer noted: "It creates the pathway for the juridical structure under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on the ground in Ukraine, defending Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and restoring Ukraine's defense capabilities for the years ahead."

The British leader went on to say that Britain would participate in any Washington-directed confirmation of a potential ceasefire.

Protection Pledges and Diplomatic Positions

Senior US negotiator Steve Witkoff remarked that "long-term security guarantees and substantial economic promises are critical to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – alluding to a key condition made by the Ukrainian government.

He noted the partner nations had "largely finished" their work on agreeing such pledges "so that the people of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends permanently."

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

At the same time, President Macron Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's partners had made "major advances" at the meeting.

He said that "robust" defense assurances for Kyiv had been settled upon in the instance of a prospective ceasefire.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "significant development" had been made in the negotiations, but qualified that he would only consider efforts to be "adequate" if they resulted in the conclusion of the conflict.

Last week, Zelensky suggested a peace deal was "mostly finalized". Settling the remaining 10% would "determine the future of the agreement, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Sovereign soil and security guarantees have been at the heart of unresolved issues for negotiators.
• The Russian President has often said that Ukrainian troops must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will occupy it, rejecting any compromise over how to finish the war.
• Kyiv has thus far ruled out surrendering any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Russia currently occupies about 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts form the heartland of the Donbas.

The original US-led 28-point framework that was widely leaked to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its European allies as being strongly biased in Moscow's direction.

This triggered weeks of high-level diplomacy – with the involved parties trying to revise the proposal.

The previous month, Kyiv presented the US an updated 20-point plan – as well as additional documents outlining possible security guarantees and plans for Ukraine's rebuilding, the President stated.