Britain and France to Deploy Forces to Ukraine should a Peace Deal is Agreed

The British and French governments have signed a statement of purpose concerning the positioning of military forces in Ukraine should a ceasefire be made with Russia, the UK Prime Minister, Starmer, has stated.

Subsequent to discussions with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he noted that the allies would "establish operational bases in various parts of Ukraine and erect protected installations for military hardware and military equipment" to prevent any potential invasion.

The allied nations also put forward that the America would play the primary role in monitoring a ceasefire.

Moscow has on multiple occasions warned that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has so far not responded on this new announcement.

Background and Ongoing Hostilities

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin launched a major offensive of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Moscow currently controls roughly 20% of the country's land.

"This constitutes a crucial element of our commitment to be alongside Ukraine for the long-term," commented the UK Prime Minister.

Heads of state and high-ranking officials from the "Allied Coalition" took part in the recent discussions.

He stated at a joint press conference, Starmer noted: "It creates the pathway for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could work on Ukrainian soil, defending Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and rebuilding Ukraine's military for the future."

The British leader also stated that Britain would participate in any American-headed monitoring of a potential truce.

Security Guarantees and Negotiation Stances

Senior American diplomat Steve Witkoff remarked that "durable safety pledges and strong economic promises are essential to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – referring to a central requirement made by the Ukrainian government.

He said the allies had "substantially agreed on" their work on establishing such assurances "to ensure the Ukrainian people know that when this war ends, it ends permanently."

The former US envoy, ex-President Donald Trump's representative, also took part in the talks.

At the same time, French President Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's supporters had made "considerable advances" at the negotiations.

He noted that "strong" security guarantees for Kyiv had been reached in the instance of a prospective truce.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "major development" had been made in Paris, but qualified that he would only consider efforts to be "enough" if they resulted in the conclusion of the fighting.

Recently, the Ukrainian leader indicated a peace deal was "90% ready". Finalizing the remaining 10% would "shape the fate of peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Sovereign soil and defense assurances have been at the heart of key disagreements for diplomats.
• Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will occupy it, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war.
• The Ukrainian President has to date ruled out surrendering any land, 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 occupies about 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts form the heartland of the Donbas.

The earlier US-led multi-point framework that was circulated to the media last year was perceived by Ukraine and its European allies as being heavily skewed in Moscow's favor.

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

Recently, The Ukrainian government presented the US an new framework – as well as separate documents outlining prospective security guarantees and provisions for Ukraine's rebuilding, the President added.