UK and France to Deploy Forces to Ukraine in the event that a Peace Agreement is Agreed

The British and French governments have formalized a statement of purpose concerning the deployment of military forces in Ukraine in the event a peace agreement be concluded with Russia, the Prime Minister of Britain, Sir Keir Starmer, has declared.

Following negotiations with Kyiv's partners in Paris, he indicated that the UK and France would "create defense centers throughout Ukraine and construct protected installations for arms and defense matériel" to discourage any potential incursion.

The allied nations also proposed that the America would take the lead in monitoring a halt in hostilities.

Moscow has repeatedly stated that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has so far not commented on this recent development.

The Situation and Continuing War

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

"This constitutes a crucial element of our vow to be alongside Ukraine for the duration," stated the UK Prime Minister.

Heads of state and high-ranking officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" were involved in Tuesday's talks.

Addressing reporters at a joint press conference, Starmer added: "It establishes the framework for the legal framework under which allied and coalition forces could work on the ground in Ukraine, defending Ukraine's airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the future."

The UK prime minister went on to say that London would participate in any US-led verification of a prospective ceasefire.

Security Guarantees and Diplomatic Positions

Lead American diplomat Steve Witkoff said that "lasting safety pledges and substantial reconstruction vows are essential to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – referring to a key demand made by the Ukrainian government.

The negotiator indicated the allies had "mostly completed" their work on finalizing such assurances "to ensure the people of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends for good."

The former US envoy, former American President Donald Trump's advisor, also took part in the negotiations.

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

He added that "comprehensive" defense assurances for the Ukrainian government had been reached in the event of a potential ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "huge development" had been made in the talks, but cautioned that he would only consider efforts to be "enough" if they culminated in the conclusion of the war.

Earlier, he suggested a settlement was "90% ready". Finalizing the remaining 10% would "decide the future of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Sovereign soil and security guarantees have been at the center of ongoing disputes for negotiators.
• Putin has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will occupy it, rejecting any concession over how to conclude the war.
• Kyiv has to date rejected surrendering any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Russian forces presently occupies about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the adjacent Luhansk. The areas form the industrial region of the Donbas.

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

This led to weeks of high-level diplomacy – with the involved parties trying to adjust the document.

Last month, The Ukrainian government sent the US an new proposal – as well as additional documents detailing prospective defense assurances and plans for Ukraine's reconstruction, the President said.