Britain and France Plan to Send Troops to Ukraine in the event that a Peace Deal is Agreed

The UK and France have formalized a memorandum of understanding concerning the positioning of troops in Ukraine if a ceasefire be struck with Russia, the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has stated.

After talks with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he indicated that the allies would "set up military hubs in various parts of Ukraine and erect protected installations for weapons and defense matériel" to deter any subsequent attack.

The coalition members also put forward that the US would assume leadership in overseeing a truce.

Moscow has repeatedly stated that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has so far not responded on this recent announcement.

Context and Ongoing War

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin began a major offensive of Ukraine in early 2022, and Russian forces presently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

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

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

He stated at a combined announcement, Starmer noted: "It creates the pathway for the legal framework under which allied and coalition forces could operate on the ground in Ukraine, defending Ukraine's airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's military for the future."

The PM went on to say that the UK would be involved in any US-led confirmation of a prospective truce.

Protection Pledges and Negotiation Stances

Senior US negotiator Steve Witkoff said that "durable defense assurances and strong economic promises are vital to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – referring to a central requirement made by the Ukrainian government.

Witkoff said the allies had "mostly completed" their work on finalizing such pledges "to ensure the Ukrainian people know that when this war ends, it ends for good."

Jared Kushner, ex-President Donald Trump's special envoy, also was involved in the talks.

At the same time, President Macron Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's supporters had made "major progress" at the meeting.

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

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "major development" had been made in Paris, but added that he would only view efforts to be "enough" if they culminated in the conclusion of the war.

Last week, the Ukrainian leader said a peace agreement was "largely prepared". Agreeing on the remaining 10% would "determine the fate of the agreement, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Territory and security guarantees have been at the center of ongoing disputes for negotiators.
• Putin has often said that Ukraine's forces must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will take control, refusing any compromise over how to finish the war.
• Kyiv has thus far excluded ceding any territory, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could move its troops to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Moscow currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The areas form the area of the Donbas.

The original US-led 28-point peace plan that was circulated to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its partners in Europe as being strongly biased in Moscow's direction.

This sparked a period of focused discussions – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to revise the proposal.

Recently, Ukraine presented the US an updated proposal – as well as distinct documents outlining prospective security guarantees and arrangements for Ukraine's recovery, the President added.