The United Kingdom and France Plan to Send Forces to Ukraine in the event that a Peace Agreement is Reached

The London and Paris have signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the deployment of troops in the nation in the event a peace deal be concluded with Russia, the UK Prime Minister, Starmer, has declared.

Following negotiations with Kyiv's partners in the French capital, he noted that the UK and France would "set up operational bases across Ukraine and construct fortified installations for arms and defense matériel" to deter any future incursion.

The allied nations also proposed that the US would assume leadership in verifying a truce.

Moscow has consistently stated that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has as yet not commented on this recent development.

Context and Ongoing Conflict

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin launched a major offensive of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Russian forces currently controls about 20% of the country's land.

"This constitutes a crucial element of our commitment to be alongside Ukraine for the long-term," stated the UK Prime Minister.

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

Addressing reporters at a joint press conference, the Prime Minister noted: "It establishes the framework for the operational parameters under which allied and coalition forces could function on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the years ahead."

The PM went on to say that Britain would participate in any Washington-directed verification of a potential ceasefire.

Protection Pledges and Diplomatic Positions

Senior Washington representative Steve Witkoff remarked that "durable defense assurances and substantial prosperity commitments are critical to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – alluding to a key demand made by Ukraine.

Witkoff noted the allies had "substantially agreed on" their work on agreeing such assurances "so that the citizens of Ukraine know that when this hostilities ends, it ends for good."

Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's advisor, also participated in the discussions.

At the same time, France's leader Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's partners had made "significant advances" at the meeting.

He noted that "comprehensive" defense assurances for Ukraine had been reached in the instance of a possible ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "huge step forward" had been made in the talks, but added that he would only consider efforts to be "adequate" if they culminated in the conclusion of the fighting.

Recently, Zelensky indicated a settlement was "largely prepared". Finalizing the remaining 10% would "decide the fate of the peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Land and security guarantees have been at the center of unresolved issues for diplomats.
• Putin has consistently stated that Ukraine's forces must retreat from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will take control, dismissing any middle ground over how to end the war.
• The Ukrainian President has so far ruled out giving up any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could pull back its troops to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia does the same.

Russia currently controls approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The two regions form the industrial region of the Donbas.

The original US-led 28-point peace plan that was circulated to the media last year was viewed by Ukraine and its partners in Europe as being heavily skewed in Moscow's favor.

This triggered a period of high-level negotiations – with all sides trying to amend the proposal.

Recently, Ukraine sent the US an new 20-point plan – as well as distinct documents outlining prospective defense assurances and plans for Ukraine's reconstruction, the President said.