The United Kingdom and France Will Dispatch Forces to Ukraine should a Peace Deal is Reached

The British and French governments have signed a statement of purpose concerning the positioning of military forces in the nation in the event a ceasefire be struck with Moscow, the Prime Minister of Britain, Starmer, has announced.

After talks with Kyiv's partners in the French capital, he indicated that the UK and France would "create operational bases across Ukraine and build fortified installations for arms and equipment" to discourage any subsequent incursion.

The partner countries also suggested that the US would assume leadership in verifying a ceasefire.

Russia has consistently warned that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has as yet not responded on this latest announcement.

The Situation and Ongoing War

Russian President Vladimir Putin began a major offensive of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Russia currently occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This represents an essential component of our commitment to be alongside Ukraine for the duration," remarked Starmer.

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

He stated at a combined announcement, he added: "It establishes the framework for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could function on Ukrainian soil, defending Ukraine's skies and seas, and restoring Ukraine's military for the time to come."

The UK prime minister also stated that Britain would take part in any US-led confirmation of a possible ceasefire.

Security Guarantees and Diplomatic Positions

Top American diplomat Steve Witkoff stated that "durable safety pledges and strong reconstruction vows are vital to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – mentioning a major demand made by Ukraine.

He noted the coalition had "mostly completed" their work on finalizing such assurances "to ensure the people of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends forever."

Jared Kushner, ex-President Donald Trump's special envoy, also participated in the talks.

Separately, President Macron Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's allies had made "considerable advances" at the talks.

He noted that "strong" security guarantees for the Ukrainian government had been settled upon in the event of a potential ceasefire.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "major development" had been made in the negotiations, but added that he would only view efforts to be "enough" if they resulted in the conclusion of the conflict.

Recently, Zelensky suggested a peace deal was "largely prepared". Agreeing on the last 10% would "determine the outcome of the peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Land and security guarantees have been at the center of unresolved issues for the parties involved.
• The Russian President has often said that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will take control, refusing any middle ground over how to conclude the war.
• Zelensky has to date excluded giving up any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could pull back its troops to an agreed point – but only if Russia does the same.

Russian forces presently holds about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the bordering Luhansk region. The two regions form the heartland of Donbas.

The initial US-led 28-point proposal that was circulated to the media last year was seen by Kyiv and its partners in Europe as being strongly biased in Moscow's favor.

This led to weeks of intensive discussions – with the involved parties trying to amend the proposal.

Recently, Kyiv presented the US an revised proposal – as well as distinct documents describing possible defense assurances and provisions for Ukraine's rebuilding, Zelensky added.