Britain and France to Deploy Forces to Ukraine in the event that a Ceasefire Accord is Reached

The London and Paris have signed a declaration of intent concerning the positioning of troops in Ukraine if a ceasefire be struck with Russia, the Prime Minister of Britain, Starmer, has stated.

Following discussions with Kyiv's partners in Paris, he said that the allies would "establish operational bases throughout Ukraine and build secure facilities for arms and equipment" to discourage any future attack.

The coalition members also suggested that the US would take the lead in verifying a truce.

Russia has on multiple occasions cautioned that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has so far not responded on this latest declaration.

The Situation and Ongoing Hostilities

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces at this time controls about 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

"This constitutes a crucial element of our pledge to stand with Ukraine for the long-term," remarked the UK Prime Minister.

Heads of state and top officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" took part in the Paris negotiations.

He stated at a shared media briefing, the Prime Minister added: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which allied and coalition forces could function on the ground in Ukraine, protecting Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and restoring Ukraine's armed forces for the future."

The British leader went on to say that Britain would take part in any US-led verification of a potential truce.

Security Guarantees and Negotiation Stances

Top Washington representative Steve Witkoff said that "lasting defense assurances and substantial economic promises are critical to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – mentioning a central demand made by Kyiv.

Witkoff noted the allies had "largely finished" their work on agreeing such assurances "to ensure the citizens of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends forever."

The former US envoy, ex-President Donald Trump's special envoy, also took part in the talks.

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

He said that "robust" defense assurances for Ukraine had been agreed in the instance of a potential ceasefire.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "huge advance" had been made in the talks, but added that he would only view efforts to be "adequate" if they led to the cessation of the conflict.

Last week, he suggested a peace deal was "90% ready". Settling the remaining 10% would "determine the future of the agreement, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Territory and security guarantees have been at the center of key disagreements for diplomats.
• Moscow has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must retreat from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will take control, refusing any concession over how to conclude the war.
• Zelensky has so far excluded ceding any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an designated point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Moscow currently holds about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk region. The areas form the area of Donbas.

The initial US-led multi-point framework that was widely leaked to the media last year was perceived by Ukraine and its European allies as being disproportionately favorable in Moscow's direction.

This sparked a period of intensive negotiations – with the involved parties trying to amend the proposal.

The previous month, Kyiv sent the US an revised framework – as well as additional documents outlining prospective security guarantees and plans for Ukraine's rebuilding, he stated.