Britain and France to Deploy Forces to the Country if a Peace Deal is Reached

The London and Paris have formalized a memorandum of understanding concerning the positioning of military forces in Ukraine in the event a ceasefire be struck with Moscow, the British leader, Starmer, has declared.

Subsequent to discussions with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he indicated that the allies would "create military hubs across Ukraine and construct secure installations for military hardware and defense matériel" to prevent any future incursion.

The partner countries also suggested that the US would assume leadership in overseeing a halt in hostilities.

Moscow has repeatedly warned that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has so far not commented on this latest declaration.

Context and Continuing War

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin began a major offensive of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russia at this time controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This represents an essential component of our vow to stand with Ukraine for the duration," remarked Starmer.

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

He stated at a joint press conference, he added: "It establishes the framework for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's defense capabilities for the time to come."

The British leader added that London would be involved in any Washington-directed verification of a prospective ceasefire.

Protection Pledges and Diplomatic Positions

Senior US negotiator Steve Witkoff said that "lasting security guarantees and strong economic promises are essential to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – referring to a major requirement made by the Ukrainian government.

The negotiator indicated the allies had "mostly completed" their work on agreeing such pledges "so that the citizens of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends forever."

The former US envoy, US President Donald Trump's advisor, also was involved in the discussions.

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's allies had made "significant advances" at the negotiations.

He noted that "robust" defense assurances for Kyiv had been settled upon in the event of a prospective ceasefire.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "major step forward" had been made in Paris, but added that he would only deem efforts to be "adequate" if they led to the cessation of the war.

Recently, Zelensky suggested a settlement was "largely prepared". Settling the last 10% would "decide the fate of the peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Sovereign soil and defense assurances have been at the forefront of ongoing disputes for diplomats.
• Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's forces must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will take control, refusing any middle ground over how to end the war.
• The Ukrainian President has thus far ruled out ceding any territory, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could withdraw its forces to an designated point – but only if Russia does the same.

Russia presently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the bordering Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the area of Donbas.

The initial US-led multi-point proposal that was extensively reported to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its partners in Europe as being heavily skewed in Moscow's favor.

This led to a period of intensive negotiations – with the involved parties trying to amend the draft.

The previous month, Kyiv submitted the US an new 20-point plan – as well as separate documents describing possible defense assurances and provisions for Ukraine's recovery, Zelensky said.