Britain and France to Deploy Troops to Ukraine should a Ceasefire Accord is Reached

The London and Paris have inked a declaration of intent concerning the stationing of military forces in Ukraine in the event a peace deal be made with Russia, the British leader, Keir Starmer, has announced.

After discussions with Kyiv's partners in the French capital, he indicated that the two nations would "establish operational bases in various parts of Ukraine and build protected installations for weapons and military equipment" to discourage any future incursion.

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

Moscow has repeatedly stated that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has so far not commented on this new announcement.

Background and Continuing Conflict

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces currently occupies roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This constitutes a crucial element of our pledge to support Ukraine for the long-term," commented the British leader.

National leaders and high-ranking officials from the "Allied Coalition" participated in the Paris negotiations.

Speaking at a joint press conference, Starmer further said: "It establishes the framework for the juridical structure under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on the ground in Ukraine, defending Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the years ahead."

The British leader added that the UK would take part in any US-led confirmation of a potential truce.

Security Guarantees and Negotiation Stances

Top American diplomat Steve Witkoff stated that "lasting security guarantees and robust economic promises are essential to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – referring to a major requirement made by Ukraine.

The negotiator said the partner nations had "largely finished" their work on agreeing such guarantees "in order that the people of Ukraine know that when this hostilities ends, it ends forever."

Jared Kushner, ex-President Donald Trump's representative, also was involved in the negotiations.

At the same time, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's allies had made "major headway" at the negotiations.

He added that "robust" defense assurances for Ukraine had been reached in the instance of a possible ceasefire.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "major advance" had been made in the negotiations, but added that he would only deem efforts to be "enough" if they led to the cessation of the fighting.

Last week, the Ukrainian leader said a peace agreement was "90% ready". Settling the last 10% would "determine the fate of the peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Land and security guarantees have been at the heart of unresolved issues for the parties involved.
• Putin has consistently stated that Kyiv's military must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, refusing any middle ground over how to conclude the war.
• Kyiv has so far ruled out ceding any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its forces to an designated point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Russia presently occupies about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The areas form the area of the Donbas.

The original US-led comprehensive framework that was circulated to the media last year was viewed by Kyiv and its European allies as being disproportionately favorable in Moscow's direction.

This triggered a period of focused diplomacy – with all sides trying to adjust the document.

The previous month, Kyiv submitted the US an new framework – as well as distinct documents outlining potential security guarantees and plans for Ukraine's recovery, he said.