Britain and France Will Dispatch Troops to Ukraine in the event that a Peace Deal is Reached

The UK and France have signed a statement of purpose concerning the deployment of troops in the nation in the event a peace agreement be struck with Moscow, the Prime Minister of Britain, Keir Starmer, has stated.

Subsequent to discussions with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he noted that the two nations would "establish defense centers in various parts of Ukraine and construct protected installations for weapons and equipment" to discourage any subsequent attack.

The allied nations also put forward that the US would play the primary role in monitoring a halt in hostilities.

Russia has on multiple occasions warned that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has so far not issued a statement on this recent announcement.

Context and Ongoing Hostilities

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russia at this time holds approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.

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

Heads of state and top officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" were involved in Tuesday's talks.

Addressing reporters at a shared media briefing, the Prime Minister added: "It establishes the framework for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could function on the ground in Ukraine, securing Ukraine's airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the years ahead."

The PM added that London would take part in any US-led monitoring of a potential truce.

Security Guarantees and Diplomatic Positions

Top American diplomat Steve Witkoff said that "durable safety pledges and strong economic promises are critical to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – mentioning a major demand made by the Ukrainian government.

The negotiator said the allies had "largely finished" their work on agreeing such assurances "in order that the citizens of Ukraine know that when this hostilities ends, it ends permanently."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, US President Donald Trump's advisor, also participated in the negotiations.

Meanwhile, President Macron Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's allies had made "significant progress" at the negotiations.

He said that "strong" defense assurances for the Ukrainian government had been reached in the event of a possible truce.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "huge step forward" had been made in the negotiations, but added that he would only consider efforts to be "adequate" if they culminated in the cessation of the fighting.

Recently, the Ukrainian leader suggested a peace agreement was "largely prepared". Finalizing the outstanding 10% would "decide the fate of the agreement, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Land and security guarantees have been at the forefront of ongoing disputes for the parties involved.
• Moscow has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's forces must retreat from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will take control, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war.
• Kyiv has to date ruled out ceding any land, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could pull back its troops to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Russian forces currently controls approximately 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The areas form the industrial region of Donbas.

The original US-led multi-point proposal that was widely leaked to the media last year was viewed by Kyiv and its EU supporters as being heavily skewed in Russia's direction.

This sparked weeks of focused diplomacy – with all sides trying to amend the draft.

The previous month, The Ukrainian government submitted the US an new 20-point plan – as well as additional documents describing prospective defense assurances and provisions for Ukraine's recovery, he stated.