UK and France to Deploy Military Personnel to Ukraine if a Ceasefire Accord is Finalized

The London and Paris have signed a statement of purpose concerning the deployment of military forces in Ukraine should a ceasefire be concluded with Moscow, the British leader, Starmer, has stated.

Subsequent to negotiations with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he noted that the allies would "set up operational bases in various parts of Ukraine and construct protected structures for military hardware and defense matériel" to prevent any future invasion.

The allied nations also put forward that the America would assume leadership in monitoring a truce.

Moscow has on multiple occasions cautioned that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has not yet commented on this recent declaration.

The Situation and Continuing War

Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a major offensive of Ukraine in early 2022, and Russia at this time controls about 20% of the country's land.

"This represents an essential component of our pledge to be alongside Ukraine for the duration," stated the British leader.

Heads of state and high-ranking officials from the "Partner Group" took part in the recent discussions.

Addressing reporters at a joint press conference, Starmer further said: "It paves the way for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could function on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's defense capabilities for the future."

The British leader added that London would take part in any American-headed monitoring of a prospective ceasefire.

Protection Pledges and Diplomatic Positions

Top American diplomat Steve Witkoff said that "long-term safety pledges and strong prosperity commitments are essential to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – mentioning a major demand made by Ukraine.

The negotiator indicated the coalition had "largely finished" their work on agreeing such assurances "so that the citizens of Ukraine know that when this hostilities ends, it ends forever."

The former US envoy, former American President Donald Trump's representative, also participated in the negotiations.

At the same time, President Macron Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's allies had made "considerable progress" at the negotiations.

He said that "comprehensive" defense assurances for Kyiv had been reached in the instance of a potential truce.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "major step forward" had been made in the talks, but added that he would only view efforts to be "adequate" if they culminated in the cessation of the fighting.

Last week, he suggested a peace deal was "90% ready". Agreeing on the outstanding 10% would "shape the outcome of the agreement, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Territory and defense assurances have been at the forefront of key disagreements for the parties involved.
• The Russian President has consistently stated that Kyiv's military must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will occupy it, refusing any concession over how to end the war.
• Zelensky has so far excluded surrendering any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could pull back its forces to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Moscow currently holds about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and some 99% of the bordering Luhansk region. The two regions form the heartland of Donbas.

The original US-led comprehensive peace plan that was widely leaked to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its partners in Europe as being heavily skewed in Russia's direction.

This sparked a period of intensive discussions – with all sides trying to amend the draft.

The previous month, Kyiv presented the US an updated 20-point plan – as well as additional documents outlining possible security guarantees and arrangements for Ukraine's rebuilding, Zelensky said.