UK and France Plan to Send Troops to Ukraine should a Peace Deal is Finalized

The London and Paris have signed a declaration of intent concerning the deployment of troops in Ukraine in the event a peace agreement be concluded with Moscow, the British leader, Keir Starmer, has declared.

Following talks with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he said that the allies would "establish operational bases across Ukraine and erect secure facilities for arms and military equipment" to prevent any future attack.

The partner countries also put forward that the America would take the lead in overseeing a truce.

Moscow has repeatedly stated that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has as yet not commented on this recent declaration.

Background and Continuing War

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin launched a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Russia at this time controls about 20% of the country's land.

"This constitutes a crucial element of our commitment to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future," commented Starmer.

National leaders and high-ranking officials from the "Partner Group" participated in the Paris negotiations.

Addressing reporters at a shared media briefing, Starmer added: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which British, French, and partner forces could work on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukraine's airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the future."

The British leader also stated that Britain would take part in any Washington-directed monitoring of a potential ceasefire.

Defense Assurances and Diplomatic Positions

Senior US negotiator Steve Witkoff stated that "durable security guarantees and strong reconstruction vows are essential to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – mentioning a major requirement made by the Ukrainian government.

The negotiator said the coalition had "mostly completed" their work on finalizing such pledges "to ensure the people of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends permanently."

Jared Kushner, former American President Donald Trump's advisor, also was involved in the discussions.

Meanwhile, President Macron Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's allies had made "significant progress" at the talks.

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

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "huge step forward" had been made in Paris, but qualified that he would only consider efforts to be "enough" if they resulted in the cessation of the fighting.

Recently, Zelensky indicated a peace deal was "largely prepared". Settling the remaining 10% would "determine the future of the agreement, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Territory and security guarantees have been at the heart of ongoing disputes for diplomats.
• Moscow has often said that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will take control, dismissing any compromise over how to conclude the war.
• The Ukrainian President has thus far excluded giving up any territory, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could move its troops to an designated point – but only if Russia does the same.

Russia presently occupies about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The two regions form the area of the Donbas.

The original US-led comprehensive framework that was extensively reported to the media last year was seen by Ukraine and its EU supporters as being disproportionately favorable in Moscow's direction.

This sparked weeks of focused diplomacy – with all sides trying to adjust the proposal.

Recently, Ukraine sent the US an new 20-point plan – as well as distinct documents describing possible security guarantees and provisions for Ukraine's rebuilding, the President added.