UK and France to Deploy Troops to Ukraine in the event that a Ceasefire Accord is Finalized

The London and Paris have inked a memorandum of understanding concerning the deployment of military forces in Ukraine should a peace deal be struck with Moscow, the British leader, Starmer, has declared.

Following discussions with allied nations in Paris, he said that the allies would "create military hubs throughout Ukraine and build protected installations for weapons and defense matériel" to prevent any future invasion.

The partner countries also suggested that the US would play the primary role in overseeing a truce.

Russia has on multiple occasions stated that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has as yet not issued a statement on this recent announcement.

Context and Continuing Conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a major offensive of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russia at this time holds roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This constitutes a crucial element of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the duration," stated the British leader.

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

Speaking at a combined announcement, Starmer noted: "It establishes the framework for the operational parameters under which allied and coalition forces could work on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and restoring Ukraine's military for the years ahead."

The UK prime minister added that the UK would participate in any American-headed confirmation of a possible cessation of hostilities.

Security Guarantees and Diplomatic Positions

Senior American diplomat Steve Witkoff remarked that "durable defense assurances and substantial economic promises are critical to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – mentioning a central requirement made by Ukraine.

The negotiator indicated the coalition had "largely finished" their work on agreeing such pledges "so that the citizens of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends for good."

Jared Kushner, ex-President Donald Trump's representative, also took part in the discussions.

Meanwhile, France's leader Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's allies had made "major advances" at the meeting.

He said that "robust" safety pledges for Kyiv had been reached in the case of a possible truce.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "significant step forward" had been made in the negotiations, but qualified that he would only deem efforts to be "enough" if they led to the cessation of the conflict.

Earlier, the Ukrainian leader suggested a peace agreement was "90% ready". Finalizing the last 10% would "determine the outcome of the peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Sovereign soil and security guarantees have been at the forefront of key disagreements for diplomats.
• Putin has consistently stated that Kyiv's military must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will take control, dismissing any middle ground over how to conclude the war.
• The Ukrainian President has thus far excluded ceding any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could pull back its forces to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia does the same.

Russian forces presently occupies about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the bordering Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the area of Donbas.

The original US-led comprehensive peace plan that was circulated to the media last year was seen by Kyiv and its partners in Europe as being disproportionately favorable in Russia's favor.

This triggered a period of focused discussions – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to amend the draft.

Recently, Kyiv presented the US an new 20-point plan – as well as distinct documents describing potential defense assurances and provisions for Ukraine's recovery, the President said.