The United Kingdom and France Will Dispatch Troops to the Country if a Peace Agreement is Agreed

The UK and France have signed a statement of purpose concerning the positioning of troops in Ukraine if a peace agreement be struck with Russia, the Prime Minister of Britain, Keir Starmer, has declared.

Subsequent to discussions with Kyiv's partners in the French capital, he noted that the two nations would "establish defense centers across Ukraine and construct protected structures for military hardware and military equipment" to deter any subsequent incursion.

The coalition members also put forward that the America would assume leadership in monitoring a truce.

Moscow has consistently stated that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has so far not responded on this recent declaration.

Context and Continuing Hostilities

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in early 2022, and Moscow currently occupies roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This constitutes a crucial element of our pledge to be alongside Ukraine for the duration," remarked the UK Prime Minister.

Heads of state and senior officials from the "Allied Coalition" participated in Tuesday's talks.

Addressing reporters at a shared media briefing, Starmer added: "It paves the way for the operational parameters under which allied and coalition forces could operate on Ukraine's territory, defending Ukraine's skies and seas, and restoring Ukraine's defense capabilities for the future."

The British leader also stated that the UK would be involved in any US-led confirmation of a potential cessation of hostilities.

Security Guarantees and Negotiation Stances

Lead Washington representative Steve Witkoff stated that "durable security guarantees and substantial reconstruction vows are critical to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – referring to a key requirement made by the Ukrainian government.

Witkoff noted the coalition had "mostly completed" their work on finalizing such pledges "to ensure the Ukrainian people know that when this hostilities ends, it ends for good."

Jared Kushner, ex-President Donald Trump's representative, also was involved in the discussions.

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

He noted that "robust" defense assurances for Kyiv had been reached in the case of a possible ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "huge advance" had been made in Paris, but cautioned that he would only view efforts to be "sufficient" if they led to the conclusion of the war.

Earlier, he indicated a peace deal was "largely prepared". Agreeing on the last 10% would "shape the outcome of peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Land and defense assurances have been at the heart of key disagreements for the parties involved.
• Putin has consistently stated that Kyiv's military must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will take control, rejecting any concession over how to conclude the war.
• Zelensky has thus far rejected giving up any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its forces to an designated point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Russian forces currently occupies about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts form the industrial region of the Donbas.

The initial US-led 28-point proposal that was circulated to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its EU supporters as being heavily skewed in Russia's favor.

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

Recently, Kyiv sent the US an updated 20-point plan – as well as separate documents detailing potential security guarantees and provisions for Ukraine's rebuilding, he stated.