The United Kingdom and France Plan to Send Troops to the Country in the event that a Peace Agreement is Reached

The British and French governments have signed a declaration of intent concerning the positioning of troops in the nation if a peace deal be struck with Russia, the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has announced.

After negotiations with Kyiv's partners in Paris, he indicated that the two nations would "establish operational bases in various parts of Ukraine and build fortified installations for arms and defense matériel" to deter any future incursion.

The partner countries also put forward that the US would take the lead in monitoring a truce.

The Kremlin has consistently stated that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has not yet commented on this new declaration.

The Situation and Continuing War

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin launched a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russia currently occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This is a vital part of our commitment to be alongside Ukraine for the foreseeable future," commented Starmer.

National leaders and top officials from the "Partner Group" took part in Tuesday's talks.

Addressing reporters at a joint press conference, the Prime Minister added: "It creates the pathway for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukraine's airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the time to come."

The UK prime minister went on to say that Britain would participate in any American-headed confirmation of a potential truce.

Security Guarantees and Negotiation Stances

Top American diplomat Steve Witkoff said that "long-term safety pledges and strong economic promises are essential to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – alluding to a major demand made by Kyiv.

The negotiator said the partner nations had "substantially agreed on" their work on finalizing such guarantees "to ensure the people of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends for good."

Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's special envoy, also took part in the negotiations.

At the same time, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's supporters had made "significant headway" at the meeting.

He added that "robust" security guarantees for Kyiv had been agreed in the case of a potential truce.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "huge advance" had been made in the talks, but added that he would only consider efforts to be "enough" if they led to the cessation of the war.

Recently, the Ukrainian leader suggested a settlement was "mostly finalized". Finalizing the remaining 10% would "shape the outcome of the peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Sovereign soil and defense assurances have been at the center of key disagreements for the parties involved.
• Moscow has often said that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will occupy it, refusing any concession over how to finish the war.
• Zelensky has to date ruled out ceding any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its forces to an designated point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Russia currently controls approximately 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the bordering Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts form the area of the Donbas.

The initial US-led multi-point peace plan that was circulated to the media last year was viewed by Ukraine and its partners in Europe as being heavily skewed in Russia's favor.

This led to weeks of high-level diplomacy – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to adjust the draft.

Last month, Kyiv presented the US an updated proposal – as well as distinct documents describing possible defense assurances and plans for Ukraine's recovery, he stated.