Britain and France Plan to Send Troops to Ukraine should a Peace Deal is Finalized

The British and French governments have signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the positioning of troops in the nation in the event a peace agreement be made with Russia, the British leader, Sir Keir Starmer, has announced.

Following discussions with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he said that the allies would "create military hubs throughout Ukraine and erect protected facilities for arms and equipment" to deter any future attack.

The allied nations also suggested that the US would assume leadership in monitoring a ceasefire.

Russia has on multiple occasions warned that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has not yet commented on this latest announcement.

Background and Ongoing Conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a major offensive of Ukraine in early 2022, and Moscow currently holds approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.

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

Top officials and senior officials from the "Partner Group" participated in the Paris negotiations.

Addressing reporters at a joint press conference, he noted: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which allied and coalition forces could work on Ukrainian soil, defending Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and rebuilding Ukraine's defense capabilities for the years ahead."

The UK prime minister added that London would be involved in any US-led monitoring of a prospective cessation of hostilities.

Security Guarantees and Diplomatic Positions

Senior Washington representative Steve Witkoff said that "long-term security guarantees and strong reconstruction vows are critical to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – referring to a major requirement made by the Ukrainian government.

He noted the allies had "largely finished" their work on agreeing such guarantees "in order that the citizens of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends for good."

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

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's partners had made "significant advances" at the negotiations.

He added that "comprehensive" defense assurances for the Ukrainian government had been reached in the instance of a potential ceasefire.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "major advance" had been made in the negotiations, but cautioned that he would only view efforts to be "enough" if they led to the end of the fighting.

Last week, he suggested a peace deal was "90% ready". Settling the remaining 10% would "determine the outcome of the peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Territory and security guarantees have been at the forefront of ongoing disputes for negotiators.
• Moscow has consistently stated that Ukraine's forces must retreat from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will occupy it, rejecting any concession over how to finish the war.
• The Ukrainian President has to date excluded surrendering any territory, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could withdraw its forces to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Moscow currently holds about 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the bordering Luhansk region. The areas form the heartland of Donbas.

The initial US-led comprehensive framework that was extensively reported to the media last year was perceived by Ukraine and its European allies as being strongly biased in Russia's direction.

This triggered a period of intensive discussions – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to revise the proposal.

Recently, The Ukrainian government presented the US an revised framework – as well as distinct documents outlining potential security guarantees and plans for Ukraine's recovery, he stated.