UK and France Plan to Send Troops to Ukraine in the event that a Peace Agreement is Finalized

The London and Paris have formalized a declaration of intent concerning the deployment of armed personnel in Ukraine in the event a ceasefire be made with Moscow, the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has declared.

Following talks with Kyiv's partners in the French capital, he indicated that the two nations would "set up defense centers across Ukraine and erect fortified structures for arms and defense matériel" to prevent any potential attack.

The allied nations also put forward that the United States would assume leadership in verifying a halt in hostilities.

The Kremlin has repeatedly cautioned that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has not yet responded on this new announcement.

The Situation and Continuing Conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a major offensive of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Russia presently occupies roughly 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

"This is a vital part of our pledge to support Ukraine for the duration," remarked the British leader.

Heads of state and senior officials from the "Partner Group" participated in the recent discussions.

Speaking at a joint press conference, he noted: "It paves the way for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could function on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and restoring Ukraine's military for the years ahead."

The UK prime minister added that London would participate in any Washington-directed confirmation of a possible cessation of hostilities.

Security Guarantees and Negotiation Stances

Top US negotiator Steve Witkoff remarked that "long-term security guarantees and substantial prosperity commitments are essential to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – alluding to a key requirement made by Kyiv.

Witkoff indicated the coalition had "mostly completed" their work on finalizing such assurances "in order that the people of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends forever."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, ex-President Donald Trump's representative, also participated in the negotiations.

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's allies had made "considerable headway" at the talks.

He said that "robust" safety pledges for Kyiv had been settled upon in the event of a possible ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "significant development" had been made in the talks, but cautioned that he would only view efforts to be "adequate" if they resulted in the cessation of the war.

Recently, the Ukrainian leader indicated a peace agreement was "mostly finalized". Agreeing on the remaining 10% would "decide the outcome of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Land and security guarantees have been at the forefront of ongoing disputes for the parties involved.
• Putin has consistently stated that Ukraine's forces must retreat from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will occupy it, dismissing any compromise over how to conclude the war.
• Zelensky has so far rejected ceding any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could pull back its troops to an agreed point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Russia currently holds about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The two regions form the industrial region of Donbas.

The original US-led comprehensive peace plan that was extensively reported to the media last year was seen by Kyiv and its European allies as being disproportionately favorable in Russia's direction.

This sparked weeks of focused discussions – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to adjust the draft.

The previous month, The Ukrainian government submitted the US an new 20-point plan – as well as separate documents outlining possible defense assurances and provisions for Ukraine's rebuilding, the President stated.