UK and France to Deploy Forces to Ukraine in the event that a Peace Deal is Reached

The UK and France have formalized a statement of purpose concerning the deployment of armed personnel in Ukraine in the event a ceasefire be concluded with Moscow, the British leader, Sir Keir Starmer, has announced.

Following discussions with Kyiv's partners in the French capital, he noted that the two nations would "create military hubs throughout Ukraine and construct secure installations for arms and equipment" to prevent any potential invasion.

The allied nations also proposed that the United States would take the lead in overseeing a halt in hostilities.

Russia has consistently stated that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has as yet not commented on this new declaration.

Context and Ongoing Hostilities

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces at this time holds approximately 20% of the country's land.

"This constitutes a crucial element of our pledge to be alongside Ukraine for the foreseeable future," commented the British leader.

Heads of state and senior officials from the "Partner Group" took part in Tuesday's talks.

Addressing reporters at a shared media briefing, he further said: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which allied and coalition forces could function on the ground in Ukraine, securing Ukraine's airspace and waters, and restoring Ukraine's military for the future."

The PM went on to say that London would participate in any US-led verification of a possible truce.

Defense Assurances and Diplomatic Positions

Senior US negotiator Steve Witkoff said that "long-term security guarantees and strong prosperity commitments are critical to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – referring to a major requirement made by Kyiv.

He indicated the partner nations had "substantially agreed on" their work on agreeing such assurances "in order that the Ukrainian people know that when this conflict ends, it ends permanently."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, US President Donald Trump's advisor, also took part in the discussions.

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's allies had made "major headway" at the negotiations.

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

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "huge development" had been made in the talks, but qualified that he would only view efforts to be "enough" if they resulted in the cessation of the fighting.

Recently, he indicated a peace deal was "90% ready". Finalizing the last 10% would "shape the future of the agreement, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Sovereign soil and defense assurances have been at the heart of unresolved issues for the parties involved.
• The Russian President has consistently stated that Kyiv's military must retreat from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, refusing any compromise over how to conclude the war.
• Kyiv has to date ruled out giving up any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could move its forces to an agreed point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Moscow currently holds approximately 75% of the Donetsk oblast and some 99% of the bordering Luhansk region. The two regions form the area of the Donbas.

The earlier US-led multi-point proposal that was extensively reported to the media last year was viewed by Kyiv and its EU supporters as being heavily skewed in Russia's favor.

This triggered a period of high-level discussions – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to adjust the draft.

Recently, The Ukrainian government presented the US an new framework – as well as separate documents describing possible security guarantees and arrangements for Ukraine's recovery, the President stated.