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

The British and French governments have signed a declaration of intent concerning the stationing of military forces in the nation in the event a peace agreement be concluded with Moscow, the Prime Minister of Britain, Keir Starmer, has stated.

Subsequent to discussions with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he indicated that the UK and France would "establish defense centers throughout Ukraine and erect secure facilities for weapons and defense matériel" to deter any subsequent invasion.

The coalition members also suggested that the United States would assume leadership in monitoring a ceasefire.

Russia has on multiple occasions warned that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has so far not responded on this recent development.

The Situation and Continuing Hostilities

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin began a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in early 2022, and Russia currently controls about 20% of the country's land.

"This represents an essential component of our pledge to be alongside Ukraine for the foreseeable future," remarked the British leader.

National leaders and top officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" participated in Tuesday's talks.

Speaking at a joint press conference, Starmer further said: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which allied and coalition forces could function on the ground in Ukraine, protecting Ukraine's airspace and waters, and restoring Ukraine's defense capabilities for the future."

The UK prime minister went on to say that London would take part in any US-led monitoring of a prospective ceasefire.

Protection Pledges and Negotiation Stances

Top American diplomat Steve Witkoff said that "long-term security guarantees and robust economic promises are vital to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – alluding to a major demand made by the Ukrainian government.

He noted the partner nations had "mostly completed" their work on finalizing such guarantees "so that the people 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 negotiations.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's supporters had made "significant progress" at the talks.

He said that "strong" safety pledges for the Ukrainian government had been settled upon in the instance of a possible truce.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "major development" had been made in the talks, but qualified that he would only view efforts to be "sufficient" if they resulted in the cessation of the fighting.

Earlier, Zelensky suggested a settlement was "largely prepared". Finalizing the outstanding 10% would "shape the outcome of the peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Land and defense assurances have been at the heart of key disagreements for diplomats.
• Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's forces must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, dismissing any compromise over how to conclude the war.
• The Ukrainian President has so far excluded surrendering any land, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could move its forces to an agreed point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Moscow currently occupies approximately 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the adjacent Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the area of the Donbas.

The original US-led comprehensive peace plan that was circulated to the media last year was perceived by Ukraine and its European allies as being disproportionately favorable in Russia's favor.

This triggered weeks of intensive discussions – with all sides trying to amend the draft.

The previous month, The Ukrainian government presented the US an new framework – as well as separate documents outlining prospective defense assurances and provisions for Ukraine's rebuilding, Zelensky added.