The United Kingdom and France Plan to Send Forces to the Country if a Ceasefire Accord is Reached

The British and French governments have signed a statement of purpose concerning the stationing of armed personnel in Ukraine in the event a ceasefire be made with Moscow, the Prime Minister of Britain, Starmer, has declared.

Subsequent to talks with Kyiv's partners in Paris, he noted that the UK and France would "create military hubs throughout Ukraine and erect fortified structures for military hardware and equipment" to prevent any subsequent incursion.

The coalition members also proposed that the United States would play the primary role in overseeing a truce.

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

The Situation and Continuing Conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russia at this time controls roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This represents an essential component of our vow to support Ukraine for the duration," remarked Starmer.

Top officials and high-ranking officials from the "Partner Group" took part in the Paris negotiations.

Speaking at a joint press conference, he added: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which allied and coalition forces could operate on the ground in Ukraine, securing Ukraine's airspace and waters, and restoring Ukraine's armed forces for the years ahead."

The British leader went on to say that the UK would be involved in any Washington-directed monitoring of a potential ceasefire.

Security Guarantees and Negotiation Stances

Lead US negotiator Steve Witkoff said that "lasting defense assurances and robust economic promises are vital to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – referring to a key requirement made by the Ukrainian government.

He noted the allies had "substantially agreed on" their work on finalizing such pledges "so that the Ukrainian people know that when this war ends, it ends for good."

The former US envoy, former American President Donald Trump's representative, also took part in the negotiations.

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

He said that "strong" defense assurances for Kyiv had been agreed in the case of a possible truce.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "major development" had been made in Paris, but cautioned that he would only deem efforts to be "enough" if they culminated in the end of the conflict.

Recently, he indicated a settlement was "largely prepared". Settling the last 10% would "shape the future of the peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Territory and security guarantees have been at the center of key disagreements for the parties involved.
• The Russian President has often said that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will take control, refusing any concession over how to finish the war.
• Zelensky has to date rejected giving up any territory, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Russia presently controls approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The areas form the industrial region of the Donbas.

The earlier US-led comprehensive proposal that was circulated to the media last year was seen by Ukraine and its partners in Europe as being heavily skewed in Russia's direction.

This sparked weeks of intensive negotiations – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to adjust the proposal.

The previous month, Kyiv presented the US an revised proposal – as well as additional documents describing potential defense assurances and provisions for Ukraine's recovery, he stated.