UK and France Will Dispatch Troops to the Country if a Peace Deal is Reached

The UK and France have signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the stationing of troops in the nation should a ceasefire be made with Russia, the Prime Minister of Britain, Sir Keir Starmer, has announced.

After negotiations with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he noted that the two nations would "establish operational bases across Ukraine and construct protected installations for arms and military equipment" to prevent any subsequent incursion.

The coalition members also put forward that the America would assume leadership in verifying a truce.

The Kremlin has on multiple occasions stated that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has as yet not issued a statement on this new development.

The Situation and Ongoing Conflict

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

"This is a vital part of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the duration," stated the British leader.

Heads of state and senior officials from the "Partner Group" participated in the Paris negotiations.

Addressing reporters at a shared media briefing, the Prime Minister noted: "It establishes the framework for the legal framework under which allied and coalition forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, defending Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's military for the years ahead."

The PM added that London would participate in any American-headed verification of a prospective cessation of hostilities.

Defense Assurances and Negotiation Stances

Senior US negotiator Steve Witkoff said that "lasting security guarantees and strong reconstruction vows are critical to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – alluding to a central condition made by Kyiv.

He indicated the coalition had "mostly completed" their work on establishing such guarantees "to ensure the citizens of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends permanently."

Jared Kushner, former American President Donald Trump's representative, also participated in the negotiations.

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's partners had made "major headway" at the negotiations.

He added that "strong" defense assurances for Ukraine had been reached in the instance of a possible truce.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "huge step forward" had been made in Paris, but added that he would only deem efforts to be "adequate" if they resulted in the end of the war.

Last week, the Ukrainian leader suggested a settlement was "largely prepared". Finalizing the last 10% would "determine the outcome of the agreement, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Land and security guarantees have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for diplomats.
• Moscow has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must pull back from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will occupy it, refusing any compromise over how to finish the war.
• Kyiv has so far excluded surrendering any territory, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could pull back its forces to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Russia presently controls approximately 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the bordering Luhansk region. The two regions form the area of the Donbas.

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

This led to weeks of focused discussions – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to adjust the document.

The previous month, The Ukrainian government sent the US an updated framework – as well as separate documents outlining potential security guarantees and provisions for Ukraine's reconstruction, he added.