The United Kingdom and France Plan to Send Forces to the Country should a Peace Deal is Reached

The London and Paris have inked a memorandum of understanding concerning the positioning of troops in Ukraine in the event a ceasefire be made with Moscow, the British leader, Sir Keir Starmer, has announced.

Subsequent to discussions with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he indicated that the two nations would "set up military hubs throughout Ukraine and construct secure structures for arms and defense matériel" to discourage any future invasion.

The allied nations also suggested that the US would assume leadership in verifying a truce.

Russia has on multiple occasions warned that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has so far not issued a statement on this latest announcement.

The Situation and Ongoing War

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in early 2022, and Russian forces at this time holds approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This is a vital part of our pledge to be alongside Ukraine for the foreseeable future," remarked the British leader.

Top officials and senior officials from the "Allied Coalition" participated in the recent discussions.

He stated at a joint press conference, the Prime Minister added: "It creates the pathway for the juridical structure under which allied and coalition forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, defending Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's defense capabilities for the years ahead."

The British leader went on to say that the UK would participate in any US-led verification of a potential cessation of hostilities.

Protection Pledges and Negotiation Stances

Senior American diplomat Steve Witkoff remarked that "long-term security guarantees and substantial reconstruction vows are critical to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – alluding to a central requirement made by the Ukrainian government.

He noted the allies had "largely finished" their work on agreeing such guarantees "so that the citizens of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends forever."

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

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's allies had made "major headway" at the talks.

He noted that "strong" defense assurances for Kyiv had been agreed in the instance of a prospective ceasefire.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "major step forward" had been made in the talks, but added that he would only deem efforts to be "adequate" if they resulted in the cessation of the fighting.

Earlier, the Ukrainian leader suggested a peace deal was "90% ready". Settling the last 10% would "decide the outcome of the agreement, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Land and defense assurances have been at the heart of unresolved issues for the parties involved.
• The Russian President has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must retreat from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will take control, refusing any middle ground over how to end the war.
• The Ukrainian President has thus far rejected giving up any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could pull back its troops to an designated point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Russian forces currently occupies approximately 75% of the Donetsk oblast and some 99% of the bordering Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the heartland of Donbas.

The earlier US-led multi-point proposal that was circulated to the media last year was viewed by Ukraine and its EU supporters as being heavily skewed in Russia's direction.

This triggered a period of intensive discussions – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to amend the draft.

Recently, Ukraine submitted the US an revised framework – as well as additional documents detailing prospective security guarantees and provisions for Ukraine's recovery, the President said.