Britain and France Plan to Send Troops to Ukraine should a Peace Agreement is Reached

The London and Paris have formalized a memorandum of understanding concerning the stationing of troops in Ukraine if a ceasefire be struck with Moscow, the Prime Minister of Britain, Starmer, has announced.

Subsequent to discussions with allied nations in Paris, he said that the UK and France would "create defense centers across Ukraine and construct protected structures for military hardware and equipment" to deter any subsequent invasion.

The coalition members also suggested that the US would assume leadership in monitoring a halt in hostilities.

Russia has repeatedly cautioned that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has so far not commented on this latest announcement.

Context and Ongoing Hostilities

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, and Moscow presently holds about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This constitutes a crucial element of our pledge to support Ukraine for the long-term," stated the British leader.

National leaders and senior officials from the "Allied Coalition" participated in Tuesday's talks.

Speaking at a joint press conference, Starmer added: "It creates the pathway for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could function on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's defense capabilities for the years ahead."

The PM added that Britain would take part in any American-headed verification of a potential cessation of hostilities.

Defense Assurances and Diplomatic Positions

Lead American diplomat Steve Witkoff stated that "lasting defense assurances and substantial economic promises are critical to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – alluding to a central demand made by the Ukrainian government.

He indicated the partner nations had "largely finished" their work on establishing such assurances "to ensure the citizens of Ukraine know that when this hostilities ends, it ends for good."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, US President Donald Trump's special envoy, also participated in the talks.

Separately, President Macron Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's partners had made "considerable headway" at the meeting.

He noted that "strong" safety pledges for the Ukrainian government had been reached in the instance of a possible ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "significant advance" had been made in the negotiations, but qualified that he would only view efforts to be "enough" if they culminated in the cessation of the war.

Recently, the Ukrainian leader said a peace agreement was "90% ready". Agreeing on the remaining 10% would "determine the fate of the peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Sovereign soil and security guarantees have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for the parties involved.
• Putin has often said that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will occupy it, refusing any concession over how to finish the war.
• Kyiv has so far ruled out surrendering any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could pull back its troops to an designated point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

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

The original US-led 28-point proposal that was extensively reported to the media last year was perceived by Ukraine and its partners in Europe as being heavily skewed in Moscow's favor.

This led to a period of high-level discussions – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to adjust the draft.

The previous month, The Ukrainian government submitted the US an updated framework – as well as additional documents describing prospective security guarantees and arrangements for Ukraine's reconstruction, he stated.