Britain and France Plan to Send Troops to the Country if a Peace Agreement is Finalized

The British and French governments have inked a declaration of intent concerning the positioning of military forces in Ukraine should a ceasefire be concluded with Moscow, the British leader, Keir Starmer, has declared.

Following discussions with allied nations in the French capital, he noted that the two nations would "set up defense centers in various parts of Ukraine and construct protected structures for arms and defense matériel" to deter any subsequent incursion.

The allied nations also put forward that the United States would play the primary role in overseeing a ceasefire.

Moscow has on multiple occasions warned that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has as yet not issued a statement on this latest announcement.

Background and Ongoing War

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russia presently controls approximately 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

"This is a vital part of our vow to be alongside Ukraine for the long-term," remarked Starmer.

Heads of state and senior officials from the "Allied Coalition" participated in Tuesday's talks.

Addressing reporters at a joint press conference, Starmer added: "It paves the way for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on Ukraine's territory, defending Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and restoring Ukraine's military for the time to come."

The British leader also stated that Britain would be involved in any American-headed verification of a prospective cessation of hostilities.

Defense Assurances and Diplomatic Positions

Senior Washington representative Steve Witkoff said that "durable defense assurances and substantial economic promises are critical to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – referring to a central condition made by Ukraine.

He indicated the coalition had "mostly completed" their work on agreeing such assurances "so that the people of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends permanently."

Jared Kushner, former American President Donald Trump's advisor, also participated in the discussions.

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

He added that "strong" defense assurances for Kyiv had been reached in the event of a prospective truce.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "huge development" had been made in the negotiations, but cautioned that he would only consider efforts to be "sufficient" if they led to the cessation of the fighting.

Last week, the Ukrainian leader indicated a peace agreement was "largely prepared". Finalizing the outstanding 10% would "determine the fate of the peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Land and defense assurances have been at the heart of ongoing disputes for the parties involved.
• The Russian President has consistently stated that Kyiv's military must retreat from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, rejecting any concession over how to finish the war.
• Zelensky has to date ruled out surrendering any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia does the same.

Russia presently holds approximately 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the bordering Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the area of Donbas.

The original US-led 28-point proposal that was extensively reported to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its European allies as being disproportionately favorable in Moscow's favor.

This sparked a period of focused diplomacy – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to revise the draft.

Last month, Ukraine submitted the US an updated 20-point plan – as well as separate documents describing potential defense assurances and arrangements for Ukraine's recovery, he added.