UK and France to Deploy Troops to Ukraine if a Peace Deal is Finalized

The British and French governments have signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the stationing of troops in Ukraine should a ceasefire be struck with Russia, the UK Prime Minister, Starmer, has announced.

After discussions with Kyiv's partners in Paris, he said that the UK and France would "set up military hubs in various parts of Ukraine and build fortified installations for military hardware and equipment" to deter any subsequent incursion.

The allied nations also put forward that the US would take the lead in verifying a truce.

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

Context and Ongoing War

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Russian forces at this time occupies approximately 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

"This represents an essential component of our pledge to stand with Ukraine for the long-term," remarked the British leader.

Heads of state and top officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" took part in the Paris negotiations.

He stated at a joint press conference, he added: "It establishes the framework for the operational parameters under which allied and coalition forces could operate on the ground in Ukraine, defending Ukraine's skies and seas, and restoring Ukraine's military for the future."

The UK prime minister went on to say that Britain would take part in any Washington-directed monitoring of a potential cessation of hostilities.

Security Guarantees and Diplomatic Positions

Top US negotiator Steve Witkoff remarked that "lasting defense assurances and strong reconstruction vows are critical to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – mentioning a central requirement made by Kyiv.

The negotiator indicated the allies had "largely finished" their work on agreeing such guarantees "in order that the citizens of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends forever."

The former US envoy, US President Donald Trump's special envoy, also took part in the talks.

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's allies had made "significant headway" at the talks.

He said that "robust" security guarantees for Ukraine had been agreed in the case of a prospective ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "major advance" had been made in the negotiations, but qualified that he would only view efforts to be "adequate" if they culminated in the conclusion of the conflict.

Earlier, he said a peace agreement was "mostly finalized". Settling the outstanding 10% would "decide the fate of the peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Territory and security guarantees have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for negotiators.
• Putin has consistently stated that Ukraine's forces must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will occupy it, dismissing any compromise over how to finish the war.
• The Ukrainian President has to date rejected giving up any territory, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could pull back its troops to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia does the same.

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

The original US-led multi-point proposal that was circulated to the media last year was viewed by Ukraine and its European allies as being disproportionately favorable in Moscow's direction.

This led to a period of focused discussions – with all sides trying to adjust the draft.

The previous month, The Ukrainian government sent the US an new proposal – as well as separate documents outlining potential defense assurances and provisions for Ukraine's rebuilding, he said.