UK and France Will Dispatch Forces to Ukraine should a Peace Deal is Reached

The London and Paris have formalized a declaration of intent concerning the deployment of troops in the nation in the event a ceasefire be made with Moscow, the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has stated.

Following discussions with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he said that the two nations would "create military hubs throughout Ukraine and erect secure installations for arms and defense matériel" to deter any potential incursion.

The allied nations also proposed that the United States would assume leadership in verifying a truce.

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

The Situation and Continuing War

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in early 2022, and Russian forces at this time holds approximately 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

"This is a vital part of our pledge to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future," commented the British leader.

Heads of state and senior 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 legal framework under which allied and coalition forces could work on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukraine's airspace and waters, and restoring Ukraine's defense capabilities for the years ahead."

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

Security Guarantees and Negotiation Stances

Top Washington representative Steve Witkoff stated that "long-term safety pledges and robust economic promises are critical to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – referring to a central condition made by Ukraine.

The negotiator noted the partner nations had "substantially agreed on" their work on finalizing such assurances "in order that the citizens of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends forever."

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

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's partners had made "considerable progress" at the meeting.

He added that "strong" defense assurances for Kyiv had been settled upon in the event of a possible truce.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "huge step forward" had been made in Paris, but qualified that he would only consider efforts to be "sufficient" if they resulted in the cessation of the conflict.

Earlier, Zelensky suggested a peace deal was "largely prepared". Finalizing the remaining 10% would "determine the outcome of peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Land and security guarantees have been at the center of ongoing disputes for diplomats.
• Moscow has often said that Ukraine's forces must retreat from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, dismissing any concession over how to finish the war.
• The Ukrainian President has so far excluded giving up any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Moscow presently controls approximately 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the adjacent Luhansk. The two regions form the industrial region of the Donbas.

The earlier US-led comprehensive framework that was widely leaked to the media last year was viewed by Ukraine and its European allies as being strongly biased in Russia's direction.

This led to a period of high-level discussions – with the involved parties trying to revise the draft.

Last month, The Ukrainian government submitted the US an new framework – as well as distinct documents outlining potential defense assurances and provisions for Ukraine's reconstruction, he said.