Britain and France Plan to Send Forces to the Country if a Peace Deal is Reached

The British and French governments have formalized a statement of purpose concerning the stationing of troops in the nation if a ceasefire be concluded with Moscow, the Prime Minister of Britain, Sir Keir Starmer, has stated.

Subsequent to negotiations with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he indicated that the allies would "set up operational bases across Ukraine and erect protected facilities for weapons and defense matériel" to discourage any future invasion.

The coalition members also proposed that the United States would take the lead in monitoring a truce.

Russia has consistently stated that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has not yet responded on this new announcement.

Background and Ongoing Hostilities

Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Russia presently controls roughly 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

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

National leaders and high-ranking officials from the "Allied Coalition" were involved in the Paris negotiations.

Speaking at a joint press conference, he noted: "It establishes the framework for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could function on Ukrainian soil, defending Ukraine's skies and seas, and restoring Ukraine's defense capabilities for the years ahead."

The PM also stated that Britain would take part in any US-led verification of a potential ceasefire.

Security Guarantees and Negotiation Stances

Top US negotiator Steve Witkoff stated that "durable security guarantees and robust economic promises are vital to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – alluding to a key demand made by Kyiv.

The negotiator noted the coalition had "substantially agreed on" their work on agreeing such assurances "to ensure the Ukrainian people know that when this hostilities ends, it ends permanently."

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

Meanwhile, President Macron Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's partners had made "considerable headway" at the talks.

He noted that "robust" security guarantees for Ukraine had been reached in the instance of a potential truce.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "huge step forward" had been made in the negotiations, but cautioned that he would only deem efforts to be "adequate" if they led to the end of the fighting.

Last week, the Ukrainian leader suggested a peace deal was "mostly finalized". Agreeing on the last 10% would "determine the outcome of peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Territory and security guarantees have been at the heart of ongoing disputes for negotiators.
• The Russian President has consistently stated that Ukraine's forces must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will occupy it, rejecting any compromise over how to finish the war.
• Kyiv has thus far rejected giving up any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could move its forces to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia does the same.

Moscow currently controls approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk region. The two regions form the industrial region of the Donbas.

The initial US-led 28-point peace plan that was circulated to the media last year was seen by Kyiv and its EU supporters as being strongly biased in Moscow's direction.

This led to weeks of high-level negotiations – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to amend the document.

Recently, The Ukrainian government sent the US an updated proposal – as well as distinct documents outlining potential defense assurances and plans for Ukraine's reconstruction, Zelensky said.