UK and France to Deploy Forces to Ukraine in the event that a Peace Deal is Reached

The London and Paris have inked a statement of purpose concerning the deployment of military forces in Ukraine should a peace deal be concluded with Moscow, the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has announced.

Subsequent to negotiations with Kyiv's partners in the French capital, he indicated that the two nations would "create military hubs across Ukraine and construct fortified facilities for weapons and defense matériel" to discourage any future attack.

The partner countries also proposed that the America would assume leadership in verifying a halt in hostilities.

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

Background and Continuing Conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin began a major offensive of Ukraine in early 2022, and Moscow at this time occupies approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This represents an essential component of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the long-term," commented the British leader.

Heads of state and high-ranking officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" took part in the Paris negotiations.

Addressing reporters at a combined announcement, he added: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which allied and coalition forces could function on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and restoring Ukraine's defense capabilities for the time to come."

The PM also stated that London would take part in any American-headed monitoring of a potential cessation of hostilities.

Defense Assurances and Negotiation Stances

Lead US negotiator Steve Witkoff stated that "lasting defense assurances and substantial economic promises are critical to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – alluding to a central condition made by Ukraine.

The negotiator noted the partner nations had "largely finished" their work on finalizing such assurances "to ensure the people of Ukraine know that when this hostilities ends, it ends for good."

Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's representative, also participated in the discussions.

At the same time, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's supporters had made "major headway" at the negotiations.

He added that "strong" security guarantees for Kyiv had been agreed in the event of a possible ceasefire.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "major step forward" had been made in the negotiations, but added that he would only deem efforts to be "adequate" if they resulted in the conclusion of the war.

Earlier, the Ukrainian leader indicated a peace deal was "largely prepared". Agreeing on the remaining 10% would "shape the outcome of peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Land and defense assurances have been at the center of key disagreements for diplomats.
• The Russian President has consistently stated that Kyiv's military must retreat from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will occupy it, refusing any compromise over how to end the war.
• The Ukrainian President has to date rejected ceding any territory, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could move its troops to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Russia presently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the area of Donbas.

The initial US-led comprehensive peace plan that was widely leaked to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its EU supporters as being disproportionately favorable in Moscow's direction.

This sparked a period of focused discussions – with the involved parties trying to amend the proposal.

Last month, The Ukrainian government sent the US an revised proposal – as well as separate documents detailing prospective security guarantees and arrangements for Ukraine's rebuilding, the President stated.