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

The London and Paris have formalized a declaration of intent concerning the deployment of troops in the nation should a peace agreement be struck with Moscow, the Prime Minister of Britain, Starmer, has declared.

Following negotiations with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he indicated that the UK and France would "set up military hubs across Ukraine and erect fortified installations for military hardware and defense matériel" to deter any potential incursion.

The partner countries also proposed that the US would take the lead in monitoring a halt in hostilities.

Moscow has on multiple occasions stated that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has so far not issued a statement on this latest declaration.

The Situation and Continuing War

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Moscow currently occupies approximately 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

"This is a vital part of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future," stated the British leader.

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

Addressing reporters at a shared media briefing, the Prime Minister added: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could function on the ground in Ukraine, protecting Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's military for the future."

The PM went on to say that London would take part in any American-headed monitoring of a potential cessation of hostilities.

Protection Pledges and Diplomatic Positions

Lead Washington representative Steve Witkoff stated that "long-term security guarantees and robust prosperity commitments are vital to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – referring to a major demand made by Ukraine.

He indicated the allies had "largely finished" their work on establishing such guarantees "to ensure the citizens of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends permanently."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, US President Donald Trump's representative, also was involved in the talks.

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's supporters had made "major progress" at the talks.

He said that "comprehensive" security guarantees for Kyiv had been agreed in the case of a possible truce.

President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "huge advance" had been made in the talks, but added that he would only deem efforts to be "sufficient" if they resulted in the conclusion of the war.

Last week, Zelensky suggested a peace agreement was "mostly finalized". Finalizing the last 10% would "shape the outcome of the peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Land and security guarantees have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for the parties involved.
• Moscow has repeatedly warned that Kyiv's military must retreat from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will occupy it, dismissing any middle ground over how to finish the war.
• The Ukrainian President has thus far ruled out ceding any land, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could withdraw its forces to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Moscow currently occupies about 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the bordering Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the area of the Donbas.

The earlier US-led multi-point framework that was circulated to the media last year was viewed by Ukraine and its partners in Europe as being strongly biased in Moscow's favor.

This led to a period of focused negotiations – with the involved parties trying to revise the draft.

The previous month, Kyiv submitted the US an new 20-point plan – as well as additional documents detailing potential defense assurances and plans for Ukraine's reconstruction, the President stated.