Britain and France to Deploy Forces to Ukraine should a Peace Deal is Agreed

The UK and France have inked a memorandum of understanding concerning the positioning of troops in the nation if a peace deal be struck with Moscow, the British leader, Keir Starmer, has announced.

Subsequent to discussions with Kyiv's partners in the French capital, he indicated that the two nations would "set up military hubs throughout Ukraine and erect protected structures for military hardware and equipment" to deter any subsequent attack.

The allied nations also suggested that the America would assume leadership in verifying a halt in hostilities.

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

Background and Continuing Hostilities

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin initiated a major offensive of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russia at this time holds approximately 20% of the country's land.

"This is a vital part of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future," remarked Starmer.

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

He stated at a joint press conference, Starmer noted: "It creates the pathway for the juridical structure under which British, French, and partner forces could work on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and restoring Ukraine's military for the time to come."

The UK prime minister also stated that London would take part in any American-headed confirmation of a potential cessation of hostilities.

Protection Pledges and Diplomatic Positions

Senior Washington representative Steve Witkoff remarked that "lasting security guarantees and strong prosperity commitments are essential to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – alluding to a major requirement made by Kyiv.

He said the allies had "largely finished" their work on establishing such pledges "in order that the citizens of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends permanently."

Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's advisor, also participated in the negotiations.

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

He noted that "comprehensive" defense assurances for the Ukrainian government had been settled upon in the instance of a prospective truce.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "huge step forward" had been made in the negotiations, but added that he would only consider efforts to be "adequate" if they led to the cessation of the conflict.

Recently, Zelensky said a settlement was "largely prepared". Agreeing on the outstanding 10% would "decide the future of the agreement, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Territory and defense assurances have been at the center of key disagreements for diplomats.
• The Russian President has often said that Kyiv's military must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will occupy it, dismissing any concession over how to end the war.
• Kyiv has to date ruled out giving up any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could move its forces to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia does the same.

Russia currently holds approximately 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the adjacent Luhansk. The two regions form the industrial region of Donbas.

The earlier US-led multi-point peace plan that was circulated to the media last year was seen by Kyiv and its EU supporters as being heavily skewed in Moscow's direction.

This triggered weeks of focused negotiations – with all sides trying to amend the proposal.

Recently, Ukraine sent the US an new proposal – as well as separate documents outlining potential security guarantees and plans for Ukraine's reconstruction, the President added.