UK and France Plan to Send Troops to the Country if a Peace Agreement is Agreed

The London and Paris have inked a memorandum of understanding concerning the positioning of troops in the nation if a ceasefire be made with Moscow, the Prime Minister of Britain, Sir Keir Starmer, has declared.

Following talks with Kyiv's partners in the French capital, he indicated that the allies would "create military hubs throughout Ukraine and erect protected installations for weapons and military equipment" to deter any subsequent incursion.

The coalition members also proposed that the America would take the lead in monitoring a ceasefire.

Moscow has repeatedly stated that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has not yet responded on this new declaration.

The Situation and Continuing Conflict

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin launched a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces presently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

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

Top officials and high-ranking officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" were involved in the recent discussions.

He stated at a shared media briefing, Starmer added: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which allied and coalition forces could work on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and regenerating Ukraine's defense capabilities for the future."

The British leader added that Britain would take part in any US-led confirmation of a possible truce.

Defense Assurances and Negotiation Stances

Top Washington representative Steve Witkoff remarked that "long-term safety pledges and strong reconstruction vows are essential to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – mentioning a major condition made by Ukraine.

The negotiator noted the partner nations had "mostly completed" their work on finalizing such assurances "to ensure the Ukrainian people know that when this hostilities ends, it ends forever."

Jared Kushner, former American President Donald Trump's representative, also took part in the discussions.

At the same time, President Macron Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's allies had made "major headway" at the talks.

He added that "strong" security guarantees for Ukraine had been agreed in the event of a prospective truce.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "significant development" had been made in Paris, but added that he would only consider efforts to be "adequate" if they culminated in the end of the war.

Earlier, the Ukrainian leader indicated a settlement was "90% ready". Settling the remaining 10% would "decide the future of peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Territory and defense assurances have been at the center of unresolved issues for negotiators.
• Moscow has often said that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will occupy it, refusing any compromise over how to conclude the war.
• Zelensky has thus far ruled out giving up any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could pull back its troops to an agreed point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Russian forces presently occupies about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the bordering Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the area of Donbas.

The initial US-led comprehensive framework that was circulated to the media last year was viewed by Ukraine and its partners in Europe as being strongly biased in Moscow's direction.

This led to a period of high-level diplomacy – with the involved parties trying to adjust the document.

Last month, The Ukrainian government sent the US an new proposal – as well as distinct documents describing prospective defense assurances and provisions for Ukraine's rebuilding, he added.