UK and France Plan to Send Troops to Ukraine should a Ceasefire Accord is Agreed

The UK and France have formalized a memorandum of understanding concerning the positioning of armed personnel in Ukraine if a peace agreement be struck with Russia, the British leader, Sir Keir Starmer, has stated.

Subsequent to discussions with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he said that the two nations would "create operational bases in various parts of Ukraine and construct secure facilities for arms and equipment" to prevent any potential invasion.

The allied nations also proposed that the US would take the lead in verifying a halt in hostilities.

Moscow has repeatedly cautioned that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has not yet issued a statement on this recent announcement.

Background and Ongoing War

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin began a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in early 2022, and Russia at this time controls approximately 20% of the country's land.

"This represents an essential component of our commitment to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future," commented Starmer.

National leaders and high-ranking officials from the "Partner Group" participated in Tuesday's talks.

Speaking at a joint press conference, he further said: "It paves the way for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could function on the ground in Ukraine, securing Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and restoring Ukraine's military for the time to come."

The British leader added that the UK would take part in any American-headed monitoring of a potential cessation of hostilities.

Defense Assurances and Negotiation Stances

Senior US negotiator Steve Witkoff stated that "lasting security guarantees and strong economic promises are critical to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – alluding to a central demand made by Kyiv.

The negotiator said the partner nations had "largely finished" their work on finalizing such pledges "in order that the people of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends permanently."

The former US envoy, former American President Donald Trump's advisor, also took part in the discussions.

At the same time, President Macron Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's supporters had made "significant headway" at the talks.

He added that "strong" defense assurances for the Ukrainian government had been reached in the case of a possible truce.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "huge step forward" had been made in the talks, but added that he would only consider efforts to be "adequate" if they resulted in the conclusion of the conflict.

Recently, the Ukrainian leader indicated a peace deal was "mostly finalized". Finalizing the remaining 10% would "shape the outcome of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Sovereign soil and security guarantees have been at the center of key disagreements for negotiators.
• Moscow has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's forces must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, rejecting any middle ground over how to conclude the war.
• The Ukrainian President has so far rejected surrendering any territory, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Moscow currently holds about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions form the industrial region of the Donbas.

The earlier 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 Russia's favor.

This triggered a period of focused discussions – with the involved parties trying to adjust the draft.

Recently, The Ukrainian government presented the US an revised 20-point plan – as well as distinct documents detailing possible defense assurances and provisions for Ukraine's recovery, Zelensky said.