Britain and France Plan to Send Military Personnel to Ukraine should a Ceasefire Accord is Reached

The UK and France have formalized a memorandum of understanding concerning the stationing of military forces in Ukraine in the event a peace agreement be struck with Moscow, the UK Prime Minister, Starmer, has stated.

Subsequent to talks with Kyiv's partners in Paris, he said that the UK and France would "set up military hubs in various parts of Ukraine and construct fortified installations for weapons and defense matériel" to prevent any subsequent incursion.

The partner countries also put forward that the America would take the lead in monitoring a truce.

Moscow has consistently stated that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has not yet responded on this latest declaration.

The Situation and Continuing Conflict

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

"This constitutes a crucial element of our pledge to stand with Ukraine for the long-term," commented Starmer.

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

Speaking at a combined announcement, Starmer noted: "It creates the pathway for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could work on the ground in Ukraine, defending Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the future."

The British leader added that the UK would be involved in any US-led confirmation of a possible ceasefire.

Protection Pledges and Diplomatic Positions

Lead American diplomat Steve Witkoff remarked that "long-term safety pledges and substantial prosperity commitments are critical to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – alluding to a central requirement made by Kyiv.

Witkoff indicated the coalition had "largely finished" their work on agreeing such assurances "so that the citizens of Ukraine know that when this hostilities ends, it ends for good."

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

At the same time, France's leader Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's allies had made "considerable progress" at the talks.

He noted that "comprehensive" safety pledges for Kyiv had been reached in the instance of a possible truce.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "major development" had been made in the negotiations, but added that he would only view efforts to be "adequate" if they resulted in the conclusion of the conflict.

Recently, Zelensky suggested a peace agreement was "90% ready". Finalizing the remaining 10% would "shape the future of the peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Land and security guarantees have been at the center of key disagreements for the parties involved.
• Putin has repeatedly warned that Kyiv's military must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will occupy it, rejecting any middle ground over how to conclude the war.
• Zelensky has so far rejected surrendering any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could pull back its forces to an agreed point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Russian forces currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and some 99% of the bordering Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts form the industrial region of Donbas.

The earlier US-led comprehensive peace plan that was extensively reported to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its partners in Europe as being heavily skewed in Russia's direction.

This triggered weeks of high-level diplomacy – with all sides trying to adjust the proposal.

The previous month, Ukraine presented the US an new framework – as well as separate documents detailing prospective security guarantees and plans for Ukraine's reconstruction, the President stated.