UK and France Plan to Send Forces to Ukraine in the event that a Ceasefire Accord is Reached

The British and French governments have inked a memorandum of understanding concerning the deployment of troops in Ukraine if a peace deal be made with Moscow, the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has announced.

Following talks with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he said that the allies would "establish operational bases across Ukraine and erect secure facilities for weapons and equipment" to discourage any potential invasion.

The partner countries also proposed that the US would take the lead in verifying a halt in hostilities.

Moscow has on multiple occasions warned that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has as yet not issued a statement on this latest announcement.

The Situation and Ongoing Conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a major offensive of Ukraine in early 2022, and Moscow at this time controls roughly 20% of the country's land.

"This constitutes a crucial element of our commitment to be alongside Ukraine for the long-term," remarked Starmer.

National leaders and top officials from the "Allied Coalition" were involved in the recent discussions.

Speaking at a joint press conference, the Prime Minister added: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could function on Ukrainian soil, defending Ukraine's airspace and waters, and restoring Ukraine's armed forces for the future."

The British leader also stated that the UK would be involved in any US-led confirmation of a possible truce.

Security Guarantees and Negotiation Stances

Senior US negotiator Steve Witkoff remarked that "lasting defense assurances and robust economic promises are critical to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – referring to a major requirement made by the Ukrainian government.

He indicated the coalition had "mostly completed" their work on agreeing such assurances "to ensure the citizens of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends for good."

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

At the same time, France's leader Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's allies had made "significant progress" at the meeting.

He noted that "robust" security guarantees for Ukraine had been reached in the case of a prospective ceasefire.

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

Last week, he said a peace agreement was "90% ready". Settling the outstanding 10% would "shape the future of the peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Sovereign soil and defense assurances have been at the heart of key disagreements for diplomats.
• The Russian President has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's forces must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, refusing any concession over how to conclude the war.
• The Ukrainian President has to date rejected surrendering any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could move its forces to an designated point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Moscow currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the bordering Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the industrial region of Donbas.

The initial US-led comprehensive peace plan that was extensively reported to the media last year was perceived by Ukraine and its European allies as being disproportionately favorable in Moscow's direction.

This led to weeks of focused negotiations – with all sides trying to amend the proposal.

The previous month, Ukraine sent the US an revised proposal – as well as additional documents outlining possible security guarantees and plans for Ukraine's rebuilding, he added.