The United Kingdom and France Will Dispatch Forces to Ukraine if a Ceasefire Accord is Agreed

The British and French governments have signed a declaration of intent concerning the positioning of armed personnel in the nation in the event a peace agreement be struck with Russia, the Prime Minister of Britain, Sir Keir Starmer, has announced.

Following negotiations with Kyiv's partners in the French capital, he noted that the allies would "set up defense centers in various parts of Ukraine and build protected installations for military hardware and military equipment" to deter any subsequent incursion.

The partner countries also suggested that the US would play the primary role in monitoring a halt in hostilities.

Moscow has repeatedly cautioned that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has as yet not commented on this recent development.

Context and Ongoing Hostilities

Russian President Vladimir Putin began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces at this time controls about 20% of the country's land.

"This is a vital part of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the duration," commented the British leader.

Top officials and top officials from the "Partner Group" took part in the Paris negotiations.

Speaking at a joint press conference, the Prime Minister noted: "It paves the way for the operational parameters under which allied and coalition forces could work on the ground in Ukraine, defending Ukraine's airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the time to come."

The PM also stated that London would participate in any US-led verification of a possible cessation of hostilities.

Security Guarantees and Negotiation Stances

Lead US negotiator Steve Witkoff stated that "lasting defense assurances and robust reconstruction vows are critical to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – referring to a central condition made by the Ukrainian government.

Witkoff noted the partner nations had "mostly completed" their work on establishing such assurances "in order that the people of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends permanently."

Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's special envoy, also took part in the talks.

Separately, President Macron Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's partners had made "major progress" at the talks.

He added that "robust" defense assurances for the Ukrainian government had been reached in the event of a possible ceasefire.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "significant development" had been made in the talks, but added that he would only view efforts to be "sufficient" if they resulted in the end of the fighting.

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

Remaining Challenges

• Territory and defense assurances have been at the center of unresolved issues for negotiators.
• Moscow has often said that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will occupy it, rejecting any middle ground over how to conclude the war.
• The Ukrainian President has thus far ruled out surrendering any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could move its troops to an designated point – but only if Russia does the same.

Russian forces presently occupies approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the bordering Luhansk. The two regions form the area of Donbas.

The initial US-led multi-point proposal that was widely leaked to the media last year was viewed by Kyiv and its partners in Europe as being heavily skewed in Moscow's direction.

This led to weeks of focused diplomacy – with all sides trying to amend the document.

The previous month, The Ukrainian government presented the US an revised 20-point plan – as well as additional documents detailing possible security guarantees and plans for Ukraine's recovery, Zelensky stated.