The United Kingdom and France Plan to Send Forces to the Country in the event that a Peace Deal is Reached

The British and French governments have inked a memorandum of understanding concerning the positioning of military forces in the nation in the event a ceasefire be concluded with Moscow, the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has announced.

After negotiations with allied nations in the French capital, he noted that the two nations would "set up operational bases throughout Ukraine and erect fortified structures for weapons and military equipment" to discourage any subsequent incursion.

The partner countries also proposed that the America would assume leadership in verifying a ceasefire.

Moscow has on multiple occasions cautioned that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has not yet responded on this latest development.

Background and Ongoing Hostilities

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin launched a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces at this time holds roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This constitutes a crucial element of our vow to stand with Ukraine for the long-term," remarked the British leader.

Heads of state and senior officials from the "Allied Coalition" participated in the Paris negotiations.

Addressing reporters at a joint press conference, the Prime Minister added: "It establishes the framework for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could function on the ground in Ukraine, defending Ukraine's skies and seas, and restoring Ukraine's military for the future."

The British leader went on to say that Britain would be involved in any American-headed confirmation of a possible cessation of hostilities.

Security Guarantees and Negotiation Stances

Lead Washington representative Steve Witkoff said that "long-term defense assurances and strong prosperity commitments are vital to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – referring to a major demand made by Ukraine.

The negotiator said the coalition had "mostly completed" their work on establishing such assurances "so that the people of Ukraine know that when this hostilities ends, it ends for good."

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

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's supporters had made "major advances" at the talks.

He said that "strong" safety pledges for Ukraine had been reached in the event of a possible ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "huge advance" had been made in the negotiations, but cautioned that he would only consider efforts to be "adequate" if they resulted in the cessation of the fighting.

Earlier, Zelensky said a peace deal was "mostly finalized". Finalizing the last 10% would "shape the outcome of the agreement, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Land and security guarantees have been at the heart of key disagreements for negotiators.
• Moscow has often said that Ukrainian troops must pull back from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will take control, refusing any concession over how to end the war.
• Zelensky has to date excluded surrendering any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an designated point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Russian forces currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk region. The areas form the industrial region of the Donbas.

The initial US-led multi-point proposal that was extensively reported to the media last year was viewed by Ukraine and its European allies as being strongly biased in Moscow's favor.

This sparked weeks of intensive diplomacy – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to revise the proposal.

Last month, Kyiv sent the US an updated proposal – as well as separate documents detailing possible defense assurances and provisions for Ukraine's rebuilding, he added.