Britain and France Plan to Send Forces to the Country should a Peace Agreement is Agreed

The UK and France have formalized a statement of purpose concerning the stationing of military forces in Ukraine if a peace agreement be concluded with Moscow, the British leader, Sir Keir Starmer, has announced.

After discussions with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he indicated that the two nations would "establish operational bases in various parts of Ukraine and build fortified installations for weapons and equipment" to deter any future attack.

The coalition members also proposed that the US would take the lead in monitoring a ceasefire.

The Kremlin has repeatedly warned that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has so far not commented on this recent declaration.

Context and Continuing Conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin began a major offensive of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow presently controls approximately 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

"This represents an essential component of our pledge to support Ukraine for the duration," commented Starmer.

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

He stated at a combined announcement, Starmer added: "It creates the pathway for the legal framework under which allied and coalition forces could operate on the ground in Ukraine, protecting Ukraine's airspace and waters, and restoring Ukraine's military for the time to come."

The PM also stated that the UK would take part in any American-headed confirmation of a potential cessation of hostilities.

Defense Assurances and Negotiation Stances

Top Washington representative Steve Witkoff remarked that "durable security guarantees and robust economic promises are vital to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – mentioning a central requirement made by Kyiv.

Witkoff noted the coalition had "largely finished" their work on agreeing such pledges "in order that the people of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends for good."

Jared Kushner, ex-President Donald Trump's representative, also took part in the talks.

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's partners had made "major advances" at the talks.

He added that "comprehensive" defense assurances for the Ukrainian government had been settled upon in the case of a prospective truce.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "major development" had been made in Paris, but qualified that he would only view efforts to be "sufficient" if they culminated in the end of the war.

Last week, the Ukrainian leader suggested a settlement was "largely prepared". Finalizing the outstanding 10% would "decide the outcome of the peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Land and security guarantees have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for diplomats.
• Moscow has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will occupy it, rejecting any concession over how to conclude the war.
• Kyiv has to date ruled out giving up any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an designated point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Russian forces currently occupies about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The areas form the industrial region of the Donbas.

The earlier US-led comprehensive framework that was extensively reported to the media last year was perceived by Ukraine and its European allies as being strongly biased in Moscow's favor.

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

Recently, The Ukrainian government presented the US an new proposal – as well as separate documents outlining potential security guarantees and provisions for Ukraine's rebuilding, Zelensky stated.