UK and France Will Dispatch Forces to the Country if a Peace Agreement is Agreed

The UK and France have formalized a declaration of intent concerning the deployment of armed personnel in Ukraine should a peace deal be made with Moscow, the British leader, Sir Keir Starmer, has declared.

Following talks with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he noted that the two nations would "create operational bases across Ukraine and erect fortified installations for weapons and defense matériel" to deter any subsequent attack.

The coalition members also proposed that the US would assume leadership in verifying a truce.

Russia has repeatedly stated that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has as yet not responded on this latest declaration.

The Situation and Continuing Hostilities

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin began a major offensive of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Moscow at this time holds approximately 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

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

Top officials and high-ranking officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" were involved in Tuesday's talks.

Speaking at a combined announcement, he noted: "It establishes the framework for the legal framework under which allied and coalition forces could operate on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the future."

The UK prime minister also stated that the UK would take part in any Washington-directed monitoring of a possible ceasefire.

Security Guarantees and Diplomatic Positions

Senior US negotiator Steve Witkoff remarked that "long-term security guarantees and substantial prosperity commitments are essential to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – referring to a central requirement made by the Ukrainian government.

The negotiator indicated the partner nations had "substantially agreed on" their work on establishing such assurances "so that the Ukrainian people know that when this conflict ends, it ends for good."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, former American President Donald Trump's advisor, also took part in the talks.

At the same time, France's leader Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's supporters had made "significant headway" at the talks.

He noted that "robust" security guarantees for the Ukrainian government had been settled upon in the event of a potential truce.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "significant advance" had been made in Paris, but qualified that he would only deem efforts to be "sufficient" if they led to the cessation of the war.

Recently, the Ukrainian leader indicated a settlement was "mostly finalized". Finalizing the last 10% would "shape the outcome of the agreement, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Sovereign soil and defense assurances have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for negotiators.
• Putin has consistently stated that Kyiv's military must retreat from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, refusing any compromise over how to end the war.
• Zelensky has to date excluded surrendering any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an designated point – but only if Russia does the same.

Moscow presently holds about 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the bordering Luhansk region. The two regions form the industrial region of Donbas.

The original US-led comprehensive peace plan that was widely leaked to the media last year was perceived by Ukraine and its partners in Europe as being strongly biased in Russia's favor.

This led to a period of intensive diplomacy – with the involved parties trying to amend the document.

Last month, Kyiv submitted the US an updated proposal – as well as additional documents describing possible defense assurances and plans for Ukraine's recovery, he added.