Britain and France Plan to Send Military Personnel to Ukraine should a Peace Agreement is Finalized

The British and French governments have inked a memorandum of understanding concerning the stationing of troops in Ukraine should a ceasefire be made with Russia, the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has announced.

After discussions with Kyiv's partners in Paris, he indicated that the allies would "set up operational bases in various parts of Ukraine and build fortified structures for military hardware and equipment" to discourage any potential attack.

The partner countries also suggested that the United States would take the lead in monitoring a truce.

Russia has repeatedly stated that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has so far not commented on this recent declaration.

Context and Continuing Hostilities

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in early 2022, and Russian forces at this time occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This is a vital part of our pledge to stand with Ukraine for the duration," stated the UK Prime Minister.

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

Addressing reporters at a combined announcement, the Prime Minister noted: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could function on Ukraine's territory, defending Ukraine's airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's defense capabilities for the years ahead."

The UK prime minister added that the UK would take part in any American-headed verification of a potential cessation of hostilities.

Protection Pledges and Diplomatic Positions

Senior American diplomat Steve Witkoff stated that "lasting safety pledges and strong economic promises are critical to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – alluding to a major demand made by Ukraine.

Witkoff indicated the allies had "mostly completed" their work on agreeing such assurances "so that the people of Ukraine know that when this hostilities ends, it ends for good."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, former American President Donald Trump's special envoy, also was involved in the negotiations.

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's partners had made "major headway" at the talks.

He added that "comprehensive" defense assurances for Kyiv had been reached in the case of a prospective truce.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "significant advance" had been made in Paris, but added that he would only consider efforts to be "enough" if they led to the end of the war.

Recently, Zelensky said a settlement was "largely prepared". Agreeing on the remaining 10% would "determine the outcome of the agreement, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Sovereign soil and defense assurances have been at the heart of ongoing disputes for diplomats.
• The Russian President has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must pull back from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will take control, dismissing any compromise over how to finish the war.
• The Ukrainian President has to date excluded surrendering any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an designated point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Russian forces currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the area of Donbas.

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

This sparked weeks of high-level diplomacy – with the involved parties trying to adjust the proposal.

Recently, Ukraine sent the US an updated proposal – as well as additional documents describing prospective defense assurances and arrangements for Ukraine's recovery, he said.