The United Kingdom and France Plan to Send Forces to Ukraine should a Peace Deal is Agreed

The London and Paris have signed a declaration of intent concerning the stationing of armed personnel in the nation if a ceasefire be struck with Moscow, the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has stated.

After talks with Kyiv's partners in Paris, he noted that the allies would "set up operational bases in various parts of Ukraine and build protected structures for arms and equipment" to discourage any future incursion.

The coalition members also put forward that the United States would assume leadership in overseeing a ceasefire.

Moscow has on multiple occasions cautioned that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has not yet issued a statement on this latest announcement.

Context and Ongoing Conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin began a major offensive of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Russian forces currently controls roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This is a vital part of our pledge to support Ukraine for the long-term," commented the UK Prime Minister.

Heads of state and top officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" took part in the recent discussions.

He stated at a combined announcement, Starmer added: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could work on the ground in Ukraine, protecting Ukraine's airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's defense capabilities for the time to come."

The UK prime minister also stated that the UK would take part in any Washington-directed verification of a possible truce.

Defense Assurances and Negotiation Stances

Top Washington representative Steve Witkoff stated that "long-term safety pledges and robust prosperity commitments are essential to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – referring to a central demand made by Ukraine.

Witkoff indicated the coalition had "mostly completed" their work on finalizing such pledges "so that the Ukrainian people know that when this war ends, it ends forever."

Jared Kushner, ex-President Donald Trump's advisor, also was involved in the negotiations.

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's allies had made "considerable headway" at the meeting.

He noted that "robust" safety pledges for Ukraine had been reached in the case of a possible ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "major step forward" had been made in Paris, but added that he would only deem efforts to be "sufficient" if they led to the end of the fighting.

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

Remaining Challenges

• Territory and defense assurances have been at the heart of key disagreements for diplomats.
• The Russian President has often said that Kyiv's military must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, dismissing any concession over how to finish the war.
• Zelensky has to date excluded ceding any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could pull back its forces to an agreed point – but only if Russia follows suit.

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

The initial US-led 28-point peace plan that was widely leaked to the media last year was perceived by Ukraine and its partners in Europe as being strongly biased in Russia's favor.

This triggered a period of intensive diplomacy – with all sides trying to amend the document.

Last month, Ukraine submitted the US an revised proposal – as well as distinct documents describing potential security guarantees and plans for Ukraine's recovery, Zelensky added.