UK and France Will Dispatch Troops to Ukraine if a Peace Agreement is Reached

The UK and France have formalized a statement of purpose concerning the stationing of armed personnel in Ukraine in the event a peace deal be concluded with Russia, the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has declared.

Subsequent to discussions with allied nations in Paris, he indicated that the two nations would "set up defense centers in various parts of Ukraine and erect protected installations for military hardware and military equipment" to discourage any future attack.

The partner countries also proposed that the US would play the primary role in verifying a truce.

Moscow has repeatedly warned that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has so far not responded on this new announcement.

The Situation and Continuing War

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin began a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Moscow presently holds about 20% of the country's land.

"This represents an essential component of our pledge to stand with Ukraine for the long-term," stated the UK Prime Minister.

National leaders and senior officials from the "Partner Group" were involved in the recent discussions.

He stated at a combined announcement, Starmer noted: "It establishes the framework for the juridical structure under which allied and coalition forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukraine's skies and seas, and restoring Ukraine's military for the time to come."

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

Security Guarantees and Negotiation Stances

Lead Washington representative Steve Witkoff said that "lasting defense assurances and strong economic promises are critical to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – alluding to a key requirement made by Kyiv.

Witkoff indicated the coalition had "substantially agreed on" their work on finalizing such pledges "so that the Ukrainian people know that when this hostilities ends, it ends permanently."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, former American President Donald Trump's advisor, also was involved in the talks.

Separately, President Macron Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's supporters had made "significant advances" at the talks.

He said that "strong" safety pledges for Kyiv had been settled upon in the case of a possible truce.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "major advance" had been made in the negotiations, but added that he would only consider efforts to be "sufficient" if they resulted in the conclusion of the war.

Earlier, he suggested a peace agreement was "largely prepared". Finalizing the remaining 10% would "decide the future of peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Land and security guarantees have been at the center of key disagreements for negotiators.
• Moscow has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must pull back from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will occupy it, refusing any concession over how to finish the war.
• The Ukrainian President has thus far ruled out giving up any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could pull back its troops to an designated point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Russia currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the adjacent Luhansk. The two regions form the area of Donbas.

The earlier US-led comprehensive 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 direction.

This led to a period of focused discussions – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to amend the document.

Recently, Kyiv presented the US an new framework – as well as distinct documents detailing prospective security guarantees and plans for Ukraine's reconstruction, Zelensky said.