UK and France Plan to Send Troops to the Country in the event that a Peace Deal is Finalized

The London and Paris have formalized a memorandum of understanding concerning the positioning of armed personnel in the nation should a ceasefire be struck with Moscow, the British leader, Sir Keir Starmer, has announced.

Subsequent to negotiations with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he said that the two nations would "establish defense centers throughout Ukraine and build secure structures for weapons and military equipment" to discourage any future attack.

The partner countries also proposed that the America would take the lead in monitoring a halt in hostilities.

Russia has on multiple occasions stated that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has so far not responded on this latest development.

Context and Continuing Hostilities

Russian President Vladimir Putin began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russia currently occupies approximately 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

"This represents an essential component of our vow to be alongside Ukraine for the long-term," commented the UK Prime Minister.

National leaders and senior officials from the "Allied Coalition" took part in the recent discussions.

Addressing reporters at a combined announcement, he further said: "It creates the pathway for the juridical structure under which British, French, and partner forces could work on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's defense capabilities for the future."

The UK prime minister also stated that London would take part in any US-led monitoring of a prospective truce.

Defense Assurances and Negotiation Stances

Lead US negotiator Steve Witkoff remarked that "long-term security guarantees and robust prosperity commitments are essential to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – alluding to a key condition made by the Ukrainian government.

Witkoff noted the allies had "substantially agreed on" their work on agreeing such pledges "in order that the people of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends forever."

Jared Kushner, ex-President Donald Trump's representative, also was involved in the negotiations.

Separately, President Macron Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's partners had made "major progress" at the talks.

He noted that "strong" safety pledges for the Ukrainian government had been reached in the case of a prospective truce.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "significant development" had been made in the negotiations, but qualified that he would only deem efforts to be "adequate" if they resulted in the end of the fighting.

Earlier, Zelensky indicated a peace deal was "largely prepared". Settling the remaining 10% would "determine the future of the agreement, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Sovereign soil and defense assurances have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for the parties involved.
• Putin has consistently stated that Kyiv's military must retreat from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will occupy it, refusing any concession over how to finish the war.
• The Ukrainian President has to date ruled out giving up any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could move its forces to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia does the same.

Moscow currently holds about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts 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 Kyiv and its European allies as being disproportionately favorable in Moscow's favor.

This triggered weeks of intensive discussions – with the involved parties trying to amend the proposal.

Recently, Ukraine presented the US an new 20-point plan – as well as distinct documents describing potential security guarantees and arrangements for Ukraine's recovery, he stated.