UK and France to Deploy Troops to Ukraine should a Peace Deal is Reached

The London and Paris have formalized a statement of purpose concerning the positioning of military forces in the nation in the event a peace deal be concluded with Moscow, the Prime Minister of Britain, Starmer, has announced.

Following discussions with Kyiv's partners in the French capital, he indicated that the allies would "establish defense centers across Ukraine and erect fortified installations for arms and military equipment" to deter any subsequent attack.

The partner countries also suggested that the US would take the lead in monitoring a truce.

Russia has on multiple occasions cautioned that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has so far not issued a statement on this recent development.

Context and Ongoing Hostilities

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a major offensive of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Moscow at this time holds about 20% of the country's land.

"This is a vital part of our vow to be alongside Ukraine for the duration," stated the UK Prime Minister.

Top officials and top officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" were involved in the recent discussions.

Speaking at a shared media briefing, Starmer added: "It establishes the framework for the juridical structure under which allied and coalition forces could function on Ukrainian soil, defending Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and rebuilding Ukraine's defense capabilities for the time to come."

The UK prime minister added that Britain would participate in any US-led monitoring of a prospective truce.

Security Guarantees and Diplomatic Positions

Senior American diplomat Steve Witkoff said that "durable security guarantees and robust economic promises are critical to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – referring to a major condition made by Ukraine.

He noted the partner nations had "substantially agreed on" their work on establishing such guarantees "in order that the citizens of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends permanently."

Jared Kushner, former American President Donald Trump's advisor, also took part in the negotiations.

Separately, President Macron Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's allies had made "major headway" at the negotiations.

He said that "comprehensive" security guarantees for the Ukrainian government had been reached in the event of a possible truce.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "huge advance" had been made in the talks, but added that he would only deem efforts to be "sufficient" if they led to the conclusion of the fighting.

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

Remaining Challenges

• Land and defense assurances have been at the center of unresolved issues for diplomats.
• The Russian President has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will take control, rejecting any middle ground over how to end the war.
• Kyiv has so far ruled out giving up any territory, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could withdraw its forces to an agreed point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

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

The original US-led comprehensive framework that was extensively reported to the media last year was viewed by Ukraine and its EU supporters as being disproportionately favorable in Moscow's favor.

This triggered weeks of high-level discussions – with the involved parties trying to adjust the document.

Last month, Ukraine submitted the US an revised 20-point plan – as well as separate documents outlining prospective security guarantees and arrangements for Ukraine's recovery, the President added.