Britain and France Plan to Send Troops to the Country should a Ceasefire Accord is Reached

The British and French governments have inked a statement of purpose concerning the deployment of military forces in Ukraine should a ceasefire be concluded with Russia, the Prime Minister of Britain, Sir Keir Starmer, has announced.

Following negotiations with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he indicated that the two nations would "create operational bases throughout Ukraine and erect secure installations for weapons and defense matériel" to prevent any future incursion.

The coalition members also put forward that the US would take the lead in monitoring a truce.

Moscow has on multiple occasions warned that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has as yet not responded on this latest development.

The Situation and Continuing Hostilities

Russian President Vladimir Putin began a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in early 2022, and Moscow currently occupies approximately 20% of the country's land.

"This represents an essential component of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the long-term," commented the British leader.

National leaders and high-ranking officials from the "Allied Coalition" were involved in Tuesday's talks.

He stated at a combined announcement, Starmer added: "It establishes the framework for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on the ground in Ukraine, defending Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's defense capabilities for the time to come."

The PM added that London would be involved in any American-headed verification of a possible truce.

Protection Pledges and Diplomatic Positions

Senior Washington representative Steve Witkoff stated that "lasting safety pledges and strong reconstruction vows are vital to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – mentioning a key condition made by the Ukrainian government.

The negotiator noted the allies had "mostly completed" their work on agreeing such pledges "in order that the citizens of Ukraine know that when this hostilities ends, it ends permanently."

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

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's supporters had made "considerable advances" at the negotiations.

He said that "strong" security guarantees for Ukraine had been settled upon in the event of a prospective truce.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "major step forward" had been made in the talks, but qualified that he would only view efforts to be "enough" if they led to the conclusion of the war.

Recently, the Ukrainian leader indicated a settlement was "90% ready". Finalizing the outstanding 10% would "decide the fate of peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Territory and defense assurances have been at the heart of key disagreements for diplomats.
• Putin has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, rejecting any concession over how to end the war.
• The Ukrainian President has so far ruled out ceding any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Russia currently holds about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the area of the Donbas.

The initial US-led comprehensive proposal that was circulated to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its partners in Europe as being strongly biased in Moscow's direction.

This led to a period of focused diplomacy – with the involved parties trying to adjust the proposal.

Last month, The Ukrainian government presented the US an updated 20-point plan – as well as additional documents describing possible defense assurances and arrangements for Ukraine's reconstruction, the President said.