Britain and France to Deploy Troops to Ukraine should a Peace Agreement is Agreed

The London and Paris have signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the stationing of troops in the nation should a peace deal be struck with Moscow, the British leader, Sir Keir Starmer, has declared.

After talks with Kyiv's partners in Paris, he noted that the allies would "set up operational bases throughout Ukraine and construct secure installations for weapons and military equipment" to deter any subsequent incursion.

The allied nations also suggested that the United States would take the lead in monitoring a ceasefire.

Moscow has on multiple occasions warned that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has so far not issued a statement on this recent declaration.

Context and Continuing War

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin began a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in early 2022, and Moscow presently controls about 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

"This is a vital part of our pledge to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future," remarked Starmer.

National leaders and high-ranking officials from the "Allied Coalition" were involved in the Paris negotiations.

Addressing reporters at a shared media briefing, the Prime Minister added: "It establishes the framework for the legal framework under which allied and coalition forces could work on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's military for the years ahead."

The PM went on to say that Britain would participate in any American-headed verification of a prospective truce.

Protection Pledges and Diplomatic Positions

Top American diplomat Steve Witkoff stated that "long-term defense assurances and substantial prosperity commitments are vital to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – referring to a key demand made by the Ukrainian government.

Witkoff noted the coalition had "substantially agreed on" their work on establishing such pledges "so that the people of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends for good."

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

Meanwhile, President Macron Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's supporters had made "major progress" at the negotiations.

He noted that "comprehensive" security guarantees for the Ukrainian government had been reached in the instance of a prospective ceasefire.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "major advance" had been made in the negotiations, but added that he would only deem efforts to be "enough" if they led to the cessation of the fighting.

Last week, Zelensky suggested a peace agreement was "largely prepared". Agreeing on the outstanding 10% would "determine the outcome of peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Land and security guarantees have been at the heart of unresolved issues for diplomats.
• The Russian President has often said that Ukrainian troops must retreat from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will occupy it, dismissing any middle ground over how to end the war.
• Zelensky has so far rejected ceding any land, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could withdraw its forces to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Russian forces presently occupies about 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the bordering Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts form the heartland of the 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 disproportionately favorable in Moscow's favor.

This sparked weeks of intensive diplomacy – with all sides trying to adjust the proposal.

Last month, The Ukrainian government presented the US an updated framework – as well as distinct documents outlining prospective defense assurances and plans for Ukraine's reconstruction, the President stated.