UK and France Will Dispatch Troops to Ukraine if a Ceasefire Accord is Finalized

The London and Paris have signed a statement of purpose concerning the stationing of military forces in Ukraine in the event a peace agreement be struck with Moscow, the Prime Minister of Britain, Starmer, has announced.

Following discussions with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he noted that the UK and France would "set up operational bases throughout Ukraine and construct fortified installations for weapons and military equipment" to deter any potential incursion.

The partner countries also suggested that the United States would assume leadership in monitoring a halt in hostilities.

Moscow has on multiple occasions stated that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has not yet responded on this latest declaration.

The Situation and Continuing War

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin launched a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in early 2022, and Russian forces presently holds approximately 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

"This is a vital part of our vow to stand with Ukraine for the long-term," remarked Starmer.

Heads of state and high-ranking officials from the "Allied Coalition" took part in Tuesday's talks.

Speaking at a combined announcement, the Prime Minister further said: "It creates the pathway for the juridical structure under which allied and coalition forces could function on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and regenerating Ukraine's defense capabilities for the future."

The UK prime minister also stated that London would participate in any Washington-directed monitoring of a potential cessation of hostilities.

Defense Assurances and Diplomatic Positions

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

Witkoff indicated the allies had "mostly completed" their work on establishing such assurances "to ensure the Ukrainian people know that when this conflict ends, it ends permanently."

The former US envoy, US President Donald Trump's advisor, also participated in the discussions.

Meanwhile, President Macron Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's partners had made "major progress" at the negotiations.

He said that "strong" safety pledges for Kyiv had been reached in the case of a potential truce.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "huge advance" had been made in the negotiations, but qualified that he would only view efforts to be "enough" if they led to the conclusion of the fighting.

Recently, he suggested a peace agreement was "largely prepared". Settling the outstanding 10% would "decide the outcome of the peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Sovereign soil and security guarantees have been at the forefront of key disagreements for the parties involved.
• The Russian President has consistently stated that Ukraine's forces must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, refusing any middle ground over how to end the war.
• Kyiv has to date rejected ceding any territory, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could withdraw its forces to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Russian forces presently holds approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The two regions form the heartland of Donbas.

The original US-led multi-point framework that was circulated to the media last year was perceived by Ukraine and its partners in Europe as being disproportionately favorable in Russia's favor.

This triggered weeks of focused discussions – with all sides trying to amend the draft.

Recently, Ukraine presented the US an revised framework – as well as additional documents outlining possible security guarantees and arrangements for Ukraine's reconstruction, the President said.