The United Kingdom and France Plan to Send Troops to Ukraine should a Peace Agreement is Finalized

The British and French governments have formalized a statement of purpose concerning the stationing of troops in the nation in the event a peace deal be struck with Russia, the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has stated.

After discussions with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he indicated that the UK and France would "establish military hubs across Ukraine and erect protected structures for military hardware and equipment" to discourage any potential attack.

The coalition members also put forward that the United States would take the lead in monitoring a truce.

Moscow has consistently stated that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has so far not issued a statement on this recent declaration.

The Situation and Continuing Conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin began a major offensive of Ukraine in early 2022, and Russian forces at this time controls approximately 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

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

Heads of state and senior officials from the "Allied Coalition" were involved in the recent discussions.

He stated at a joint press conference, he added: "It paves the way for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could work on Ukraine's territory, defending Ukraine's airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the years ahead."

The UK prime minister went on to say that Britain would participate in any Washington-directed verification of a possible cessation of hostilities.

Security Guarantees and Diplomatic Positions

Lead American diplomat Steve Witkoff said that "lasting safety pledges and robust economic promises are vital to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – mentioning a key demand made by Kyiv.

Witkoff indicated the allies had "mostly completed" their work on establishing such guarantees "to ensure the citizens of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends permanently."

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

At the same time, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's allies had made "major advances" at the negotiations.

He said that "strong" security guarantees for the Ukrainian government had been settled upon in the event of a prospective truce.

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

Last week, Zelensky said a peace agreement was "largely prepared". Finalizing the remaining 10% would "shape the outcome of the agreement, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Land and security guarantees have been at the heart of key disagreements for the parties involved.
• The Russian President has often said that Kyiv's military must retreat from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will occupy it, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war.
• The Ukrainian President has so far ruled out surrendering any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could move its troops to an agreed point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Moscow presently controls approximately 75% of the Donetsk oblast and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The areas form the industrial region of the Donbas.

The earlier US-led multi-point peace plan that was extensively reported to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its partners in Europe as being disproportionately favorable in Russia's direction.

This led to weeks of intensive diplomacy – with the involved parties trying to amend the draft.

Last month, The Ukrainian government submitted the US an updated framework – as well as separate documents detailing potential defense assurances and arrangements for Ukraine's recovery, he said.