Britain and France Plan to Send Forces to Ukraine should a Ceasefire Accord is Finalized

The London and Paris have formalized a memorandum of understanding concerning the positioning of troops in Ukraine in the event a ceasefire be concluded with Moscow, the Prime Minister of Britain, Starmer, has declared.

Subsequent to negotiations with Kyiv's partners in Paris, he said that the two nations would "set up operational bases in various parts of Ukraine and construct fortified installations for weapons and defense matériel" to discourage any future invasion.

The coalition members also suggested that the United States would assume leadership in verifying a halt in hostilities.

Russia has repeatedly warned that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has so far not commented on this new declaration.

Background and Ongoing Conflict

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin began a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russia at this time occupies roughly 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

"This constitutes a crucial element of our pledge to support Ukraine for the long-term," remarked the British leader.

National leaders and high-ranking officials from the "Allied Coalition" participated in Tuesday's talks.

Addressing reporters at a joint press conference, he added: "It establishes the framework for the juridical structure under which British, French, and partner forces could work on the ground in Ukraine, securing Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and restoring Ukraine's defense capabilities for the time to come."

The British leader went on to say that London would take part in any US-led monitoring of a possible ceasefire.

Security Guarantees and Negotiation Stances

Lead US negotiator Steve Witkoff remarked that "long-term safety pledges and robust prosperity commitments are critical to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – alluding to a central requirement made by the Ukrainian government.

He said the coalition had "substantially agreed on" their work on finalizing such assurances "in order that the people of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends for good."

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

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's partners had made "considerable progress" at the talks.

He said that "strong" security guarantees for the Ukrainian government had been agreed in the case of a potential truce.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "significant development" had been made in the talks, but cautioned that he would only consider efforts to be "sufficient" if they led to the cessation of the fighting.

Earlier, Zelensky suggested a peace deal was "largely prepared". Finalizing the outstanding 10% would "determine the fate of peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Land and defense assurances have been at the heart of key disagreements for negotiators.
• Moscow has often said that Kyiv's military must retreat from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will take control, rejecting any concession over how to conclude the war.
• The Ukrainian President has so far excluded surrendering any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Russia currently occupies approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the bordering Luhansk. The areas form the heartland of the Donbas.

The original US-led multi-point proposal that was widely leaked to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its European allies as being heavily skewed in Moscow's favor.

This triggered a period of focused negotiations – with the involved parties trying to adjust the draft.

The previous month, Kyiv sent the US an revised 20-point plan – as well as distinct documents outlining potential defense assurances and plans for Ukraine's reconstruction, he added.