The United Kingdom and France Plan to Send Military Personnel to Ukraine if a Peace Deal is Agreed

The British and French governments have inked a memorandum of understanding concerning the stationing of military forces in Ukraine if a ceasefire be made with Russia, the British leader, Keir Starmer, has stated.

Following negotiations with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he noted that the allies would "set up operational bases across Ukraine and construct secure facilities for weapons and defense matériel" to deter any potential invasion.

The partner countries also put forward that the United States would take the lead in verifying a ceasefire.

Moscow has on multiple occasions warned that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has so far not issued a statement on this latest announcement.

Background and Continuing Hostilities

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow at this time holds approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This is a vital part of our pledge to support Ukraine for the long-term," commented the British leader.

Top officials and high-ranking officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" took part in the recent discussions.

Addressing reporters at a joint press conference, Starmer added: "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 rebuilding Ukraine's defense capabilities for the time to come."

The UK prime minister went on to say that London would take part in any Washington-directed verification of a potential truce.

Protection Pledges and Negotiation Stances

Senior Washington representative Steve Witkoff stated that "long-term security guarantees and strong economic promises are vital to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – referring to a major demand made by Ukraine.

He said the allies had "mostly completed" their work on agreeing such assurances "to ensure the people of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends forever."

The former US envoy, ex-President Donald Trump's representative, also was involved in the negotiations.

Separately, President Macron Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's supporters had made "considerable advances" at the meeting.

He said that "comprehensive" safety pledges for the Ukrainian government had been agreed in the instance of a potential truce.

President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "significant step forward" had been made in Paris, but added that he would only consider efforts to be "enough" if they led to the cessation of the conflict.

Earlier, he indicated a peace agreement was "90% ready". Finalizing the remaining 10% would "determine the fate of peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Sovereign soil and security guarantees have been at the forefront of ongoing disputes for the parties involved.
• The Russian President has often said that Kyiv's military must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will occupy it, rejecting any compromise over how to conclude the war.
• The Ukrainian President has to date excluded ceding any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an designated point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

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

The original US-led 28-point framework that was circulated to the media last year was viewed by Ukraine and its EU supporters as being strongly biased in Russia's favor.

This sparked weeks of intensive diplomacy – with all sides trying to revise the proposal.

The previous month, Ukraine presented the US an revised proposal – as well as distinct documents outlining potential defense assurances and plans for Ukraine's recovery, the President stated.