UK and France to Deploy Forces to the Country if a Ceasefire Accord is Reached

The British and French governments have signed a declaration of intent concerning the stationing of military forces in Ukraine if a peace agreement be struck with Moscow, the British leader, Keir Starmer, has announced.

Following discussions with allied nations in Paris, he said that the two nations would "create operational bases in various parts of Ukraine and construct fortified installations for arms and defense matériel" to discourage any potential invasion.

The allied nations also suggested that the America would play the primary role in verifying a ceasefire.

Moscow has consistently stated that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has so far not issued a statement on this recent announcement.

Background and Ongoing Conflict

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin began a major offensive of Ukraine in early 2022, and Russian forces at this time holds roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This represents an essential component of our commitment to be alongside Ukraine for the duration," remarked the British leader.

Top officials and senior officials from the "Partner Group" took part in the Paris negotiations.

He stated at a joint press conference, the Prime Minister further said: "It creates the pathway for the operational parameters under which allied and coalition forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and rebuilding Ukraine's military for the years ahead."

The British leader also stated that the UK would participate in any Washington-directed verification of a prospective truce.

Protection Pledges and Diplomatic Positions

Lead US negotiator Steve Witkoff said that "lasting security guarantees and substantial economic promises are critical to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – referring to a key demand made by Kyiv.

Witkoff said the allies had "largely finished" their work on finalizing such guarantees "in order that the Ukrainian people know that when this hostilities ends, it ends permanently."

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

At the same time, President Macron Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's allies had made "significant progress" at the meeting.

He added that "comprehensive" security guarantees for Kyiv had been agreed in the instance of a possible ceasefire.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "major advance" had been made in the negotiations, but added that he would only deem efforts to be "enough" if they resulted in the cessation of the fighting.

Earlier, he suggested a settlement was "largely prepared". Agreeing on the last 10% would "shape the outcome of the peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Sovereign soil and defense assurances have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for negotiators.
• Putin has consistently stated that Kyiv's military must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will take control, refusing any compromise over how to end the war.
• Zelensky has to date rejected ceding any land, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could move its forces to an designated point – but only if Russia does the same.

Moscow currently controls approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the bordering Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts form the industrial region of the Donbas.

The initial US-led comprehensive peace plan that was widely leaked to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its European allies as being strongly biased in Moscow's direction.

This triggered weeks of high-level diplomacy – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to adjust the proposal.

Recently, The Ukrainian government sent the US an updated 20-point plan – as well as additional documents detailing prospective security guarantees and plans for Ukraine's recovery, he added.