Britain and France Plan to Send Forces to Ukraine in the event that a Peace Deal is Reached

The London and Paris have inked a statement of purpose concerning the positioning of military forces in the nation if a peace agreement be struck with Moscow, the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has announced.

After negotiations with allied nations in the French capital, he noted that the allies would "establish operational bases throughout Ukraine and erect secure structures for weapons and military equipment" to discourage any subsequent attack.

The partner countries also put forward that the US would take the lead in overseeing a ceasefire.

Russia has consistently stated that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has so far not issued a statement on this latest declaration.

The Situation and Ongoing War

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russia currently occupies about 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

"This constitutes a crucial element of our commitment to be alongside Ukraine for the duration," commented Starmer.

National leaders and top officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" participated in the recent discussions.

Speaking at a combined announcement, he added: "It creates the pathway for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could function on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukraine's airspace and waters, and restoring Ukraine's armed forces for the future."

The PM went on to say that the UK would take part in any American-headed verification of a possible ceasefire.

Defense Assurances and Diplomatic Positions

Top US negotiator Steve Witkoff stated that "durable safety pledges and strong reconstruction vows are critical to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – alluding to a central requirement made by the Ukrainian government.

Witkoff noted the coalition had "mostly completed" their work on finalizing such pledges "to ensure the citizens of Ukraine know that when this hostilities ends, it ends for good."

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

At the same time, President Macron Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's allies had made "major progress" at the negotiations.

He noted that "strong" defense assurances for Ukraine had been agreed in the instance of a potential ceasefire.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "major step forward" had been made in the talks, but added that he would only consider efforts to be "sufficient" if they led to the cessation of the conflict.

Last week, the Ukrainian leader indicated a peace deal was "90% ready". Finalizing the outstanding 10% would "decide the outcome of the agreement, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Sovereign soil and defense assurances have been at the center of key disagreements for diplomats.
• Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must retreat from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, refusing any concession over how to finish the war.
• The Ukrainian President has thus far ruled out surrendering any land, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point – but only if Russia does the same.

Moscow presently holds approximately 75% of the Donetsk oblast and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the industrial region of the Donbas.

The original US-led comprehensive peace plan that was extensively reported to the media last year was seen by Ukraine and its European allies as being heavily skewed in Moscow's direction.

This led to weeks of intensive diplomacy – with the involved parties trying to adjust the proposal.

Last month, Kyiv presented the US an revised 20-point plan – as well as additional documents outlining possible defense assurances and provisions for Ukraine's rebuilding, Zelensky stated.