UK and France Plan to Send Troops to Ukraine should a Peace Deal is Agreed

The London and Paris have formalized a statement of purpose concerning the stationing of troops in Ukraine if a ceasefire be made with Moscow, the Prime Minister of Britain, Starmer, has stated.

After negotiations with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he said that the allies would "establish operational bases across Ukraine and construct protected installations for arms and defense matériel" to prevent any potential invasion.

The partner countries also suggested that the America would assume leadership in overseeing a halt in hostilities.

Russia has on multiple occasions warned that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has so far not commented on this recent declaration.

Context and Continuing Conflict

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow presently controls roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This is a vital part of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future," stated Starmer.

National leaders and senior officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" were involved in the recent discussions.

Speaking at a combined announcement, the Prime Minister noted: "It creates the pathway for the juridical structure under which allied and coalition forces could function on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's defense capabilities for the years ahead."

The UK prime minister also stated that London would take part in any American-headed monitoring of a possible truce.

Protection Pledges and Diplomatic Positions

Lead American diplomat Steve Witkoff stated that "durable safety pledges and robust economic promises are critical to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – alluding to a central condition made by the Ukrainian government.

He said the coalition had "substantially agreed on" their work on finalizing such guarantees "to ensure the Ukrainian people know that when this conflict ends, it ends forever."

The former US envoy, ex-President Donald Trump's advisor, also was involved in the talks.

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

He noted that "comprehensive" defense assurances for the Ukrainian government had been settled upon in the instance of a possible truce.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "major step forward" had been made in the negotiations, but cautioned that he would only consider efforts to be "sufficient" if they resulted in the end of the war.

Earlier, he suggested a peace agreement was "largely prepared". Agreeing on the remaining 10% would "determine the outcome of the agreement, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Sovereign soil and defense assurances have been at the heart of unresolved issues for the parties involved.
• The Russian President has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will take control, refusing any compromise over how to finish the war.
• Kyiv has to date rejected ceding any land, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could pull back its troops to an designated point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Moscow presently holds about 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The areas form the industrial region of Donbas.

The initial US-led 28-point framework that was circulated to the media last year was viewed by Ukraine and its European allies as being disproportionately favorable in Moscow's direction.

This sparked a period of intensive diplomacy – with all sides trying to adjust the proposal.

The previous month, The Ukrainian government sent the US an updated 20-point plan – as well as separate documents describing possible security guarantees and plans for Ukraine's recovery, Zelensky stated.