The United Kingdom and France Will Dispatch Forces to Ukraine in the event that a Peace Deal is Reached

The UK and France have inked a declaration of intent concerning the stationing of military forces in Ukraine in the event a peace agreement be concluded with Moscow, the UK Prime Minister, Starmer, has declared.

After discussions with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he said that the UK and France would "establish defense centers across Ukraine and build secure installations for weapons and equipment" to deter any subsequent invasion.

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

The Kremlin has on multiple occasions stated that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has as yet not responded on this latest declaration.

The Situation and Continuing Hostilities

Russian President Vladimir Putin began a major offensive of Ukraine in early 2022, and Russian forces at this time holds about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This is a vital part of our vow to be alongside Ukraine for the duration," stated the British leader.

Heads of state and senior officials from the "Partner Group" participated in Tuesday's talks.

Addressing reporters at a shared media briefing, Starmer noted: "It establishes the framework for the operational parameters under which allied and coalition forces could function on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the future."

The British leader also stated that London would participate in any Washington-directed confirmation of a prospective cessation of hostilities.

Security Guarantees and Negotiation Stances

Lead US negotiator Steve Witkoff remarked that "long-term defense assurances and strong prosperity commitments are vital to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – referring to a key demand made by the Ukrainian government.

He noted the allies had "mostly completed" their work on establishing such assurances "so that the citizens of Ukraine know that when this hostilities ends, it ends forever."

Jared Kushner, ex-President Donald Trump's advisor, also took part in the discussions.

At the same time, President Macron Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's partners had made "considerable advances" at the talks.

He noted that "robust" safety pledges for Kyiv had been settled upon in the case of a prospective ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "huge advance" had been made in Paris, but added that he would only consider efforts to be "adequate" if they resulted in the cessation of the conflict.

Earlier, the Ukrainian leader suggested a peace agreement was "90% ready". Agreeing on the remaining 10% would "shape the future of peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Land and security guarantees have been at the heart of ongoing disputes for diplomats.
• Moscow has often said that Kyiv's military must retreat from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will occupy it, rejecting any middle ground over how to end the war.
• Kyiv has thus far ruled out giving up any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could move its forces to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia does the same.

Russian forces currently occupies approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the bordering Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts form the industrial region of the Donbas.

The initial US-led multi-point framework that was widely leaked to the media last year was viewed by Kyiv and its partners in Europe as being disproportionately favorable in Russia's direction.

This triggered weeks of high-level negotiations – with all sides trying to adjust the document.

Last month, Ukraine sent the US an updated 20-point plan – as well as additional documents detailing potential defense assurances and plans for Ukraine's reconstruction, he said.