The United Kingdom and France to Deploy Military Personnel to Ukraine if a Ceasefire Accord is Finalized

The British and French governments have inked a statement of purpose concerning the positioning of military forces in Ukraine if a peace agreement be struck with Moscow, the Prime Minister of Britain, Starmer, has stated.

Following discussions with allied nations in Paris, he noted that the allies would "create operational bases in various parts of Ukraine and erect protected installations for weapons and military equipment" to deter any subsequent invasion.

The coalition members also suggested that the United States would play the primary role in verifying a halt in hostilities.

Moscow has on multiple occasions stated that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has as yet not responded on this latest announcement.

Background and Ongoing Conflict

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin initiated a major offensive of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russia currently holds approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This is a vital part of our commitment to be alongside Ukraine for the long-term," commented the British leader.

National leaders and high-ranking officials from the "Allied Coalition" took part in Tuesday's talks.

Speaking at a joint press conference, he noted: "It paves the way 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 rebuilding Ukraine's military for the future."

The UK prime minister also stated that Britain would be involved in any American-headed confirmation of a possible ceasefire.

Protection Pledges and Negotiation Stances

Lead Washington representative Steve Witkoff said that "lasting security guarantees and robust reconstruction vows are essential to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – mentioning a central requirement made by the Ukrainian government.

Witkoff indicated the coalition had "largely finished" their work on agreeing such guarantees "so that the Ukrainian people know that when this hostilities ends, it ends for good."

The former US envoy, ex-President Donald Trump's special envoy, also was involved in the negotiations.

At the same time, France's leader Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's supporters had made "considerable progress" at the meeting.

He said that "robust" safety pledges for Kyiv had been agreed in the instance of a potential ceasefire.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "significant step forward" had been made in the negotiations, but qualified that he would only consider efforts to be "adequate" if they resulted in the end of the war.

Last week, the Ukrainian leader suggested a settlement was "90% ready". Agreeing on the outstanding 10% would "determine the future of the peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Land and security guarantees have been at the heart of key disagreements for diplomats.
• The Russian President has often said that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will occupy it, rejecting any compromise over how to conclude the war.
• Zelensky has to date ruled out giving up any territory, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could move its forces to an agreed point – but only if Russia does the same.

Russia presently occupies about 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts form the heartland of Donbas.

The original US-led 28-point peace plan that was circulated to the media last year was seen by Kyiv and its partners in Europe as being heavily skewed in Russia's favor.

This sparked weeks of intensive diplomacy – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to adjust the document.

Last month, Kyiv submitted the US an revised framework – as well as separate documents detailing possible security guarantees and plans for Ukraine's recovery, Zelensky added.