Britain and France Plan to Send Military Personnel to Ukraine in the event that a Ceasefire Accord is Finalized

The UK and France have inked a memorandum of understanding concerning the stationing of troops in the nation should a peace agreement be made with Russia, the British leader, Sir Keir Starmer, has stated.

Following discussions with allied nations in Paris, he indicated that the UK and France would "create operational bases in various parts of Ukraine and construct fortified structures for weapons and military equipment" to deter any future attack.

The partner countries also suggested that the United States would assume leadership in verifying a ceasefire.

Moscow has consistently stated that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has as yet not responded on this recent declaration.

Context and Continuing Hostilities

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin launched a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces currently occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This is a vital part of our vow to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future," remarked the UK Prime Minister.

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

Addressing reporters at a joint press conference, Starmer noted: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's defense capabilities for the future."

The UK prime minister also stated that Britain would be involved in any American-headed confirmation of a prospective truce.

Security Guarantees and Negotiation Stances

Top Washington representative Steve Witkoff said that "long-term security guarantees and robust economic promises are vital to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – referring to a central demand made by Ukraine.

He indicated the partner nations had "mostly completed" their work on finalizing such guarantees "to ensure the Ukrainian people know that when this war ends, it ends for good."

Jared Kushner, former American President Donald Trump's representative, also participated in the talks.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's supporters had made "major headway" at the talks.

He said that "strong" security guarantees for Ukraine had been settled upon in the instance of a prospective truce.

President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "significant development" had been made in Paris, but cautioned that he would only view efforts to be "sufficient" if they culminated in the end of the war.

Recently, Zelensky suggested a settlement was "mostly finalized". Agreeing on the outstanding 10% would "shape the outcome of the peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Sovereign soil and security guarantees have been at the forefront of ongoing disputes for the parties involved.
• Moscow has consistently stated that Kyiv's military must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will occupy it, dismissing any concession over how to conclude the war.
• Zelensky has to date rejected giving up any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could move its troops to an agreed point – but only if Russia does the same.

Russia currently occupies about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the adjacent Luhansk. The two regions form the heartland of Donbas.

The earlier US-led 28-point 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 favor.

This sparked weeks of intensive diplomacy – with the involved parties trying to revise the proposal.

The previous month, Kyiv presented the US an revised 20-point plan – as well as distinct documents detailing prospective defense assurances and plans for Ukraine's rebuilding, Zelensky said.