The United Kingdom and France Plan to Send Military Personnel to the Country in the event that a Peace Deal is Agreed

The UK and France have inked a memorandum of understanding concerning the positioning of military forces in the nation should a peace agreement be struck with Moscow, the Prime Minister of Britain, Sir Keir Starmer, has stated.

Following negotiations with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he noted that the UK and France would "establish operational bases across Ukraine and erect secure structures for weapons and military equipment" to deter any potential invasion.

The coalition members also put forward that the America would play the primary role in verifying a truce.

Russia has repeatedly stated that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has as yet not issued a statement on this recent announcement.

Context and Continuing War

Russian President Vladimir Putin began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This constitutes a crucial element of our commitment to support Ukraine for the long-term," commented Starmer.

Top officials and senior officials from the "Partner Group" participated in the recent discussions.

He stated at a combined announcement, he added: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which British, French, and partner forces could work on the ground in Ukraine, protecting Ukraine's airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's defense capabilities for the future."

The British leader added that London would take part in any American-headed verification of a possible ceasefire.

Defense Assurances and Diplomatic Positions

Top American diplomat Steve Witkoff remarked that "long-term defense assurances and robust prosperity commitments are essential to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – mentioning a key requirement made by the Ukrainian government.

The negotiator noted the coalition had "largely finished" their work on establishing such guarantees "in order that the people of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends for good."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, former American President Donald Trump's advisor, also took part in the negotiations.

At the same time, France's leader Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's supporters had made "major headway" at the talks.

He noted that "comprehensive" defense assurances for Ukraine had been agreed in the case of a possible truce.

President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "huge development" had been made in Paris, but cautioned that he would only consider efforts to be "adequate" if they resulted in the end of the war.

Last week, the Ukrainian leader indicated a peace deal was "largely prepared". Settling the last 10% would "decide the future of the agreement, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Land and defense assurances have been at the center of unresolved issues for negotiators.
• The Russian President has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must pull back from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, rejecting any concession over how to finish the war.
• Kyiv has to date ruled out giving up any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could move its troops to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia does the same.

Moscow presently holds about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions form the area of the Donbas.

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

This sparked weeks of intensive discussions – with the involved parties trying to revise the draft.

The previous month, The Ukrainian government submitted the US an revised 20-point plan – as well as distinct documents describing potential security guarantees and plans for Ukraine's recovery, the President added.