Britain and France Plan to Send Forces to Ukraine should a Ceasefire Accord is Finalized

The London and Paris have signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the stationing of armed personnel in the nation if a peace deal be struck with Russia, the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has announced.

Following talks with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he noted that the allies would "create operational bases across Ukraine and construct protected structures for weapons and military equipment" to deter any subsequent attack.

The partner countries also proposed that the United States would play the primary role in monitoring a truce.

The Kremlin has on multiple occasions stated that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has as yet not commented on this new development.

Context and Ongoing Hostilities

Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Moscow at this time holds about 20% of the country's land.

"This represents an essential component of our pledge to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future," remarked the British leader.

National leaders and senior officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" were involved in the recent discussions.

He stated at a combined announcement, Starmer noted: "It establishes the framework for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on the ground in Ukraine, securing Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and regenerating Ukraine's defense capabilities for the years ahead."

The UK prime minister added that the UK would be involved in any US-led monitoring of a potential cessation of hostilities.

Defense Assurances and Negotiation Stances

Senior American diplomat Steve Witkoff stated that "durable safety pledges and strong reconstruction vows are vital to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – referring to a major requirement made by Ukraine.

The negotiator indicated the allies had "largely finished" their work on agreeing such guarantees "to ensure the Ukrainian people know that when this war ends, it ends forever."

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

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

He noted that "robust" defense assurances for Kyiv had been settled upon in the case of a possible ceasefire.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "major advance" had been made in Paris, but cautioned that he would only consider efforts to be "adequate" if they culminated in the cessation of the conflict.

Earlier, Zelensky suggested a peace deal was "90% ready". Agreeing on the last 10% would "decide the future of peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Territory and security guarantees have been at the heart of unresolved issues for negotiators.
• Moscow has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's forces must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will take control, rejecting any middle ground over how to end the war.
• The Ukrainian President has to date excluded ceding any territory, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Russian forces currently occupies about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk region. The areas form the industrial region of the Donbas.

The original US-led 28-point framework that was widely leaked to the media last year was seen by Kyiv and its European allies as being heavily skewed in Russia's direction.

This triggered a period of focused negotiations – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to revise the draft.

Recently, Kyiv presented the US an new proposal – as well as separate documents detailing potential defense assurances and provisions for Ukraine's recovery, he said.