UK and France to Deploy Military Personnel to Ukraine if a Peace Deal is Agreed

The British and French governments have signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the stationing of military forces in Ukraine if a peace deal be made with Russia, the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has stated.

Subsequent to discussions with allied nations in Paris, he said that the two nations would "create operational bases throughout Ukraine and build protected structures for weapons and military equipment" to discourage any potential attack.

The allied nations also suggested that the United States would take the lead in verifying a truce.

Russia has consistently stated that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has not yet issued a statement on this latest declaration.

Background and Continuing Hostilities

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin began a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in early 2022, and Russia currently controls roughly 20% of the country's land.

"This represents an essential component of our vow to stand with Ukraine for the duration," commented the UK Prime Minister.

Top officials and senior officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" were involved in Tuesday's talks.

He stated at a combined announcement, he further said: "It creates the pathway for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could function on the ground in Ukraine, defending Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the time to come."

The UK prime minister added that London would be involved in any American-headed monitoring of a possible cessation of hostilities.

Security Guarantees and Diplomatic Positions

Lead US negotiator Steve Witkoff stated that "durable security guarantees and robust prosperity commitments are vital to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – mentioning a central demand made by Kyiv.

Witkoff indicated the allies had "mostly completed" their work on finalizing such assurances "in order that the citizens of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends forever."

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

Meanwhile, France's leader Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's partners had made "significant progress" at the talks.

He said that "comprehensive" security guarantees for Kyiv had been agreed in the case of a potential ceasefire.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "significant advance" had been made in the negotiations, but added that he would only deem efforts to be "enough" if they resulted in the end of the fighting.

Earlier, he said a settlement was "mostly finalized". Settling the last 10% would "decide the outcome of the agreement, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Territory and defense assurances have been at the center of ongoing disputes for negotiators.
• The Russian President has repeatedly warned that Kyiv's military must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will take control, refusing any middle ground over how to conclude the war.
• Zelensky has to date excluded surrendering any territory, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could move its troops to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Russian forces presently holds about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk. The areas form the area of Donbas.

The initial US-led comprehensive peace plan that was circulated to the media last year was seen by Kyiv and its European allies as being heavily skewed in Russia's favor.

This led to a period of high-level negotiations – with all sides trying to revise the document.

The previous month, Kyiv submitted the US an updated proposal – as well as additional documents outlining possible security guarantees and plans for Ukraine's reconstruction, he added.