Britain and France Plan to Send Troops to Ukraine if a Peace Agreement is Finalized

The London and Paris have inked a statement of purpose concerning the deployment of troops in the nation if a peace agreement be made with Russia, the UK Prime Minister, Starmer, has stated.

Following discussions with allied nations in Paris, he indicated that the allies would "establish military hubs across Ukraine and erect fortified installations for weapons and defense matériel" to prevent any potential invasion.

The coalition members also put forward that the US would play the primary role in monitoring a halt in hostilities.

Russia has on multiple occasions stated that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has so far not commented on this latest development.

Background and Continuing War

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin launched a major offensive of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow at this time occupies about 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

"This is a vital part of our pledge to be alongside Ukraine for the long-term," commented the UK Prime Minister.

Top officials and top officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" took part in the recent discussions.

Speaking at a shared media briefing, the Prime Minister added: "It paves the way for the operational parameters under which allied and coalition forces could function on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's defense capabilities for the time to come."

The PM also stated that London would take part in any American-headed confirmation of a potential truce.

Defense Assurances and Diplomatic Positions

Top Washington representative Steve Witkoff stated that "durable defense assurances and robust reconstruction vows are critical to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – alluding to a central demand made by Kyiv.

The negotiator said the partner nations had "substantially agreed on" their work on finalizing such assurances "in order that the Ukrainian people know that when this war ends, it ends for good."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, US President Donald Trump's representative, also took part in the negotiations.

At the same time, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's allies had made "significant advances" at the negotiations.

He added that "comprehensive" security guarantees for the Ukrainian government had been settled upon in the case of a prospective ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "significant advance" had been made in Paris, but added that he would only deem efforts to be "adequate" if they culminated in the conclusion of the war.

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

Outstanding Matters

• Land and security guarantees have been at the heart of unresolved issues for diplomats.
• Putin has often said that Kyiv's military must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, refusing any concession over how to conclude the war.
• Zelensky has to date rejected surrendering any territory, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could move its forces to an designated point – but only if Russia does the same.

Moscow currently controls approximately 75% of the Donetsk oblast and some 99% of the bordering Luhansk region. The areas form the heartland of Donbas.

The earlier US-led 28-point peace plan that was extensively reported to the media last year was perceived by Ukraine and its partners in Europe as being strongly biased in Russia's direction.

This sparked weeks of intensive negotiations – with all sides trying to revise the draft.

The previous month, Kyiv sent the US an revised 20-point plan – as well as separate documents outlining possible defense assurances and arrangements for Ukraine's recovery, he stated.