Britain and France Will Dispatch Troops to Ukraine if a Ceasefire Accord is Finalized

The UK and France have inked a declaration of intent concerning the deployment of troops in the nation in the event a ceasefire be made with Russia, the Prime Minister of Britain, Keir Starmer, has stated.

Following talks with allied nations in the French capital, he said that the two nations would "establish military hubs across Ukraine and build secure facilities for military hardware and military equipment" to prevent any potential invasion.

The allied nations also put forward that the United States would assume leadership in verifying a halt in hostilities.

The Kremlin has repeatedly stated that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has so far not responded on this latest declaration.

Background and Ongoing Conflict

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin initiated a major offensive of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow at this time holds about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This is a vital part of our pledge to stand with Ukraine for the long-term," stated the British leader.

Heads of state and senior officials from the "Partner Group" participated in the Paris negotiations.

Addressing reporters at a shared media briefing, Starmer added: "It establishes the framework for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could work on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the time to come."

The UK prime minister added that Britain would take part in any US-led monitoring of a potential ceasefire.

Protection Pledges and Negotiation Stances

Senior US negotiator Steve Witkoff said that "long-term safety pledges and substantial reconstruction vows are essential to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – mentioning a key condition made by Kyiv.

He said the allies had "mostly completed" their work on finalizing such assurances "in order that the people of Ukraine know that when this hostilities ends, it ends for good."

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

Meanwhile, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's partners had made "considerable headway" at the negotiations.

He noted that "robust" safety pledges for Ukraine had been agreed in the instance of a prospective truce.

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

Recently, Zelensky indicated a settlement was "90% ready". Settling the last 10% would "decide the future of the peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Sovereign soil and security guarantees have been at the heart of key disagreements for diplomats.
• Moscow has consistently stated that Ukraine's forces must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, dismissing any concession over how to conclude the war.
• Zelensky has to date rejected ceding any land, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could withdraw its forces to an agreed point – but only if Russia does the same.

Moscow currently holds about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The areas form the heartland of the Donbas.

The initial US-led comprehensive framework that was extensively reported to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its EU supporters as being heavily skewed in Moscow's favor.

This sparked weeks of intensive discussions – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to revise the proposal.

Recently, Ukraine sent the US an revised 20-point plan – as well as distinct documents outlining potential defense assurances and provisions for Ukraine's reconstruction, the President stated.