Britain and France Will Dispatch Forces to the Country if a Peace Agreement is Agreed

The London and Paris have formalized a statement of purpose concerning the positioning of armed personnel in Ukraine if a peace agreement be concluded with Russia, the British leader, Starmer, has announced.

Subsequent to talks with Kyiv's partners in the French capital, he indicated that the allies would "establish military hubs in various parts of Ukraine and construct protected facilities for weapons and equipment" to deter any subsequent invasion.

The partner countries also proposed that the America would take the lead in overseeing a truce.

Moscow has on multiple occasions stated that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has not yet commented on this latest development.

Background and Continuing Hostilities

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces currently controls about 20% of the country's land.

"This represents an essential component of our vow to be alongside Ukraine for the foreseeable future," commented the UK Prime Minister.

Heads of state and senior officials from the "Partner Group" participated in the Paris negotiations.

Speaking at a joint press conference, the Prime Minister added: "It establishes the framework for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could function on the ground in Ukraine, protecting Ukraine's airspace and waters, and restoring Ukraine's armed forces for the future."

The UK prime minister also stated that Britain would take part in any American-headed confirmation of a potential ceasefire.

Security Guarantees and Negotiation Stances

Lead US negotiator Steve Witkoff said that "long-term security guarantees and strong reconstruction vows are critical to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – mentioning a central requirement made by the Ukrainian government.

The negotiator noted the allies had "mostly completed" their work on establishing such assurances "to ensure the Ukrainian people know that when this war ends, it ends permanently."

Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's representative, also took part in the discussions.

Meanwhile, President Macron Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's allies had made "significant progress" at the negotiations.

He noted that "strong" security guarantees for Ukraine had been agreed in the case of a prospective ceasefire.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "huge step forward" had been made in the negotiations, but qualified that he would only deem efforts to be "sufficient" if they led to the end of the conflict.

Earlier, Zelensky said a settlement was "90% ready". Agreeing on the last 10% would "decide the fate of the peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Land and defense assurances have been at the heart of unresolved issues for negotiators.
• The Russian President has consistently stated that Ukraine's forces must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will occupy it, rejecting any middle ground over how to end the war.
• Kyiv has thus far rejected surrendering any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its forces to an designated point – but only if Russia does the same.

Moscow presently holds approximately 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the heartland of Donbas.

The initial US-led 28-point peace plan that was circulated to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its EU supporters as being disproportionately favorable in Moscow's favor.

This led to weeks of intensive discussions – with the involved parties trying to revise the proposal.

The previous month, The Ukrainian government sent the US an new 20-point plan – as well as distinct documents detailing prospective defense assurances and plans for Ukraine's reconstruction, the President said.