Britain and France to Deploy Forces to Ukraine should a Ceasefire Accord is Reached

The British and French governments have signed a statement of purpose concerning the stationing of troops in Ukraine if a peace agreement be made with Moscow, the UK Prime Minister, Starmer, has declared.

After negotiations with Kyiv's partners in Paris, he noted that the two nations would "establish defense centers in various parts of Ukraine and erect secure structures for military hardware and defense matériel" to discourage any future invasion.

The partner countries also put forward that the US would play the primary role in verifying a truce.

Russia has on multiple occasions stated that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has so far not commented on this new declaration.

The Situation and Continuing Conflict

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin launched a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Moscow presently holds roughly 20% of the country's land.

"This is a vital part of our commitment to support Ukraine for the long-term," commented the British leader.

Heads of state and high-ranking officials from the "Partner Group" were involved in Tuesday's talks.

He stated at a joint press conference, he noted: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could function on Ukraine's territory, defending Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and rebuilding Ukraine's defense capabilities for the years ahead."

The British leader went on to say that London would participate in any American-headed verification of a potential truce.

Security Guarantees and Negotiation Stances

Senior Washington representative Steve Witkoff said that "durable security guarantees and robust prosperity commitments are essential to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – alluding to a central condition made by Kyiv.

He said the allies had "largely finished" their work on agreeing such guarantees "in order that the Ukrainian people know that when this conflict ends, it ends forever."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, US President Donald Trump's representative, also participated in the talks.

Meanwhile, President Macron Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's supporters had made "significant progress" at the negotiations.

He noted that "strong" safety pledges for Kyiv had been agreed in the instance of a prospective ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "major step forward" had been made in Paris, but added that he would only deem efforts to be "adequate" if they resulted in the cessation of the war.

Recently, the Ukrainian leader indicated a peace deal was "largely prepared". Settling the outstanding 10% would "shape the future of peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Territory and defense assurances have been at the heart of key disagreements for negotiators.
• The Russian President has consistently stated that Ukraine's forces must retreat from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will occupy it, dismissing any compromise over how to conclude the war.
• Zelensky has thus far rejected ceding any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could move its troops to an designated point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Moscow currently holds 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 extensively reported to the media last year was viewed by Ukraine and its partners in Europe as being strongly biased in Russia's direction.

This triggered a period of high-level discussions – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to adjust the document.

Last month, Ukraine presented the US an new proposal – as well as additional documents detailing potential defense assurances and arrangements for Ukraine's rebuilding, the President said.