The United Kingdom and France Plan to Send Forces to Ukraine should a Peace Deal is Finalized

The London and Paris have inked a memorandum of understanding concerning the positioning of military forces in Ukraine in the event a ceasefire be made with Moscow, the Prime Minister of Britain, Starmer, has announced.

Subsequent to discussions with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he noted that the allies would "set up defense centers throughout Ukraine and build protected structures for weapons and equipment" to prevent any potential invasion.

The coalition members also put forward that the United States would play the primary role in monitoring a ceasefire.

Russia has on multiple occasions stated that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has so far not issued a statement on this recent announcement.

Background and Ongoing Hostilities

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Russia at this time occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This is a vital part of our commitment to be alongside Ukraine for the long-term," remarked the UK Prime Minister.

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

He stated at a shared media briefing, the Prime Minister added: "It creates the pathway for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on the ground in Ukraine, protecting Ukraine's airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the years ahead."

The PM added that Britain would participate in any American-headed confirmation of a prospective truce.

Protection Pledges and Negotiation Stances

Senior Washington representative Steve Witkoff said that "long-term defense assurances and robust prosperity commitments are vital to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – mentioning a key requirement made by Kyiv.

The negotiator indicated the allies had "mostly completed" their work on establishing such assurances "in order that the people of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends forever."

The former US envoy, former American President Donald Trump's representative, also took part in the talks.

At the same time, President Macron Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's allies had made "considerable headway" at the meeting.

He said that "comprehensive" defense assurances for Kyiv had been settled upon in the case of a possible ceasefire.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "huge advance" had been made in the negotiations, but qualified that he would only consider efforts to be "enough" if they led to the end of the fighting.

Last week, the Ukrainian leader said a settlement was "90% ready". Settling the outstanding 10% would "determine the fate of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Land and security guarantees have been at the forefront of ongoing disputes for negotiators.
• The Russian President has often said that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, refusing any middle ground over how to conclude the war.
• Kyiv has so far excluded surrendering any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could pull back its forces to an agreed point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Russia currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the bordering Luhansk. The two regions form the industrial region of Donbas.

The original US-led comprehensive framework that was extensively reported to the media last year was seen by Kyiv and its European allies as being disproportionately favorable in Moscow's favor.

This triggered weeks of high-level diplomacy – with all sides trying to amend the document.

Last month, Ukraine submitted the US an new proposal – as well as additional documents detailing prospective security guarantees and provisions for Ukraine's rebuilding, he stated.