Britain and France Will Dispatch Military Personnel to Ukraine in the event that a Peace Agreement is Reached

The London and Paris have signed a declaration of intent concerning the positioning of military forces in Ukraine in the event a peace agreement be concluded with Russia, the Prime Minister of Britain, Keir Starmer, has declared.

Subsequent to discussions with allied nations in Paris, he noted that the two nations would "establish military hubs throughout Ukraine and erect protected structures for weapons and equipment" to discourage any subsequent attack.

The partner countries also put forward that the United States would take the lead in verifying a truce.

The Kremlin has consistently stated that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has so far not issued a statement on this recent development.

The Situation and Ongoing War

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin launched a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces currently holds about 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

"This is a vital part of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future," commented Starmer.

Heads of state and top officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" participated in Tuesday's talks.

Addressing reporters at a combined announcement, the Prime Minister added: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which allied and coalition forces could function on the ground in Ukraine, protecting Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and rebuilding Ukraine's defense capabilities for the time to come."

The PM went on to say that the UK would take part in any Washington-directed monitoring of a possible truce.

Security Guarantees and Diplomatic Positions

Senior Washington representative Steve Witkoff remarked that "lasting safety pledges and robust economic promises are critical to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – alluding to a central requirement made by Kyiv.

The negotiator indicated the partner nations had "largely finished" their work on establishing such guarantees "so that the people of Ukraine know that when this hostilities ends, it ends forever."

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

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

He added that "comprehensive" safety pledges for the Ukrainian government had been agreed in the event of a possible ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "significant development" had been made in Paris, but added that he would only consider efforts to be "enough" if they led to the conclusion of the war.

Earlier, the Ukrainian leader indicated a peace deal was "90% ready". Settling the remaining 10% would "determine the future of peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Land and security guarantees have been at the heart of unresolved issues for negotiators.
• Putin has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must retreat from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will take control, refusing any compromise over how to conclude the war.
• The Ukrainian President has thus far excluded surrendering any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could pull back its troops to an agreed point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Moscow currently holds about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The areas form the heartland of Donbas.

The initial US-led multi-point framework that was extensively reported to the media last year was perceived by Ukraine and its EU supporters as being disproportionately favorable in Russia's favor.

This triggered weeks of focused diplomacy – with all sides trying to revise the draft.

Last month, Ukraine presented the US an revised proposal – as well as distinct documents detailing potential defense assurances and plans for Ukraine's rebuilding, he added.