The United Kingdom and France Will Dispatch Military Personnel to the Country if a Peace Deal is Reached

The London and Paris have formalized a declaration of intent concerning the deployment of armed personnel in Ukraine in the event a ceasefire be made with Russia, the Prime Minister of Britain, Starmer, has declared.

Subsequent to discussions with Kyiv's partners in Paris, he indicated that the allies would "set up defense centers throughout Ukraine and erect fortified structures for weapons and defense matériel" to discourage any potential invasion.

The partner countries also proposed that the America would play the primary role in overseeing a halt in hostilities.

The Kremlin has on multiple occasions cautioned that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has as yet not commented on this recent declaration.

Background and Continuing War

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This constitutes a crucial element of our commitment to be alongside Ukraine for the foreseeable future," remarked Starmer.

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

He stated at a shared media briefing, the Prime Minister noted: "It establishes the framework for the juridical structure under which British, French, and partner forces could function on the ground in Ukraine, securing Ukraine's airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's defense capabilities for the future."

The British leader also stated that the UK would take part in any American-headed monitoring of a potential cessation of hostilities.

Security Guarantees and Diplomatic Positions

Top Washington representative Steve Witkoff remarked that "long-term defense assurances and strong reconstruction vows are vital to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – mentioning a central demand made by Ukraine.

He said the partner nations had "mostly completed" their work on establishing such guarantees "so that the citizens of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends permanently."

The former US envoy, former American President Donald Trump's special envoy, also took part in the discussions.

Meanwhile, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's partners had made "significant advances" at the talks.

He added that "comprehensive" security guarantees for the Ukrainian government had been agreed in the instance of a potential truce.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "major advance" had been made in the negotiations, but added that he would only view efforts to be "adequate" if they resulted in the conclusion of the conflict.

Last week, he indicated a peace deal was "largely prepared". Agreeing on the remaining 10% would "determine the fate of the peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Land and security guarantees have been at the forefront of key disagreements for the parties involved.
• The Russian President has consistently stated that Ukraine's forces must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will take control, refusing any concession over how to conclude the war.
• Kyiv has to date ruled out ceding any territory, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could pull back its troops to an agreed point – but only if Russia does the same.

Russia currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk region. The two regions form the heartland of the Donbas.

The earlier US-led 28-point framework that was circulated to the media last year was seen by Kyiv and its European allies as being strongly biased in Moscow's direction.

This triggered weeks of intensive diplomacy – with all sides trying to revise the document.

Recently, Kyiv presented the US an updated framework – as well as distinct documents detailing potential security guarantees and plans for Ukraine's reconstruction, he added.