Britain and France Plan to Send Troops to the Country should a Peace Agreement is Finalized

The British and French governments have formalized a declaration of intent concerning the stationing of armed personnel in the nation in the event a ceasefire be struck with Moscow, the Prime Minister of Britain, Sir Keir Starmer, has announced.

After negotiations with allied nations in Paris, he indicated that the allies would "set up military hubs across Ukraine and build fortified facilities for military hardware and military equipment" to discourage any future invasion.

The partner countries also proposed that the United States would take the lead in monitoring a ceasefire.

The Kremlin has consistently stated that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has not yet responded on this recent announcement.

Context and Continuing Hostilities

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

"This constitutes a crucial element of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the long-term," commented Starmer.

National leaders and top officials from the "Partner Group" were involved in the recent discussions.

He stated at a combined announcement, the Prime Minister further said: "It creates the pathway for the legal framework under which allied and coalition forces could operate on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the years ahead."

The PM also stated that the UK would be involved in any US-led monitoring of a possible ceasefire.

Security Guarantees and Negotiation Stances

Top Washington representative Steve Witkoff said that "durable defense assurances and robust economic promises are critical to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – referring to a major demand made by the Ukrainian government.

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

Jared Kushner, former American President Donald Trump's special envoy, also participated in the discussions.

Meanwhile, President Macron Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's supporters had made "major headway" at the negotiations.

He added that "robust" safety pledges for Kyiv had been reached in the instance of a possible truce.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "huge development" had been made in Paris, but added that he would only view efforts to be "sufficient" if they culminated in the end of the conflict.

Recently, the Ukrainian leader said a settlement was "largely prepared". Finalizing the remaining 10% would "decide the future of the peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Land and security guarantees have been at the center of ongoing disputes for diplomats.
• Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's forces must pull back from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, dismissing any middle ground over how to conclude the war.
• Kyiv has to date rejected ceding any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its forces to an agreed point – but only if Russia does the same.

Russia currently holds approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the bordering Luhansk region. The two regions form the industrial region of the Donbas.

The initial US-led multi-point proposal that was widely leaked to the media last year was perceived by Ukraine and its partners in Europe as being disproportionately favorable in Russia's direction.

This triggered a period of intensive discussions – with all sides trying to amend the document.

Recently, Kyiv submitted the US an revised proposal – as well as separate documents detailing possible defense assurances and plans for Ukraine's recovery, Zelensky said.