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

The London and Paris have inked a memorandum of understanding concerning the stationing of military forces in the nation if a peace deal be struck with Moscow, the UK Prime Minister, Starmer, has announced.

Subsequent to talks with allied nations in the French capital, he said that the UK and France would "set up military hubs across Ukraine and erect fortified installations for military hardware and defense matériel" to discourage any potential attack.

The partner countries also proposed that the America would assume leadership in monitoring a truce.

Russia has consistently stated that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has as yet not responded on this latest development.

Context and Ongoing War

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

"This is a vital part of our pledge to stand with Ukraine for the long-term," remarked the UK Prime Minister.

Heads of state and top officials from the "Partner Group" took part in the Paris negotiations.

He stated at a joint press conference, the Prime Minister noted: "It paves the way for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could function on Ukraine's territory, defending Ukraine's airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the years ahead."

The UK prime minister also stated that Britain would take part in any US-led monitoring of a possible truce.

Protection Pledges and Negotiation Stances

Top Washington representative Steve Witkoff stated that "lasting defense assurances and robust economic promises are vital to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – referring to a key requirement made by Ukraine.

He said the allies had "largely finished" their work on finalizing such pledges "in order that the citizens of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends for good."

Jared Kushner, ex-President Donald Trump's advisor, also was involved in the discussions.

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's partners had made "major advances" at the negotiations.

He added that "comprehensive" defense assurances for the Ukrainian government had been settled upon in the event of a potential truce.

President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "huge development" had been made in the negotiations, but qualified that he would only view efforts to be "adequate" if they resulted in the conclusion of the conflict.

Earlier, he suggested a peace deal was "90% ready". Finalizing the outstanding 10% would "shape the fate of the agreement, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Territory and defense assurances have been at the center of ongoing disputes for diplomats.
• Moscow has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, refusing any compromise over how to conclude the war.
• The Ukrainian President has so far ruled out ceding any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its forces to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia does the same.

Moscow currently holds about 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts form the heartland of Donbas.

The earlier US-led 28-point peace plan that was extensively reported to the media last year was perceived by Ukraine and its European allies as being disproportionately favorable in Moscow's direction.

This led to a period of focused negotiations – with all sides trying to revise the document.

Last month, Kyiv sent the US an revised framework – as well as distinct documents describing prospective security guarantees and arrangements for Ukraine's recovery, he added.