Britain and France to Deploy Military Personnel to the Country should a Peace Deal is Finalized

The British and French governments have inked a memorandum of understanding concerning the deployment of military forces in the nation in the event a peace agreement be made with Russia, the Prime Minister of Britain, Sir Keir Starmer, has declared.

Following talks with Kyiv's partners in Paris, he noted that the UK and France would "establish defense centers across Ukraine and construct fortified facilities for military hardware and military equipment" to discourage any future attack.

The coalition members also suggested that the US would assume leadership in verifying a halt in hostilities.

The Kremlin has consistently stated that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has so far not responded on this latest announcement.

The Situation and Ongoing War

Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow presently occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This is a vital part of our pledge to stand with Ukraine for the long-term," commented the British leader.

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

Addressing reporters at a joint press conference, he noted: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could work on Ukrainian soil, defending Ukraine's airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's defense capabilities for the time to come."

The UK prime minister also stated that the UK would be involved in any American-headed confirmation of a potential truce.

Protection Pledges and Diplomatic Positions

Senior American diplomat Steve Witkoff stated that "durable safety pledges and substantial reconstruction vows are essential to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – referring to a key demand made by Kyiv.

He indicated the coalition had "mostly completed" their work on establishing such pledges "so that the people of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends permanently."

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

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's supporters had made "considerable advances" at the negotiations.

He said that "comprehensive" safety pledges for the Ukrainian government had been settled upon in the instance of a potential truce.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "huge step forward" had been made in Paris, but qualified that he would only deem efforts to be "enough" if they led to the end of the fighting.

Last week, he indicated a peace agreement was "mostly finalized". Finalizing the remaining 10% would "shape the outcome of peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Land and defense assurances have been at the forefront of key disagreements for negotiators.
• Moscow has often said that Ukraine's forces must pull back from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will take control, refusing any compromise over how to end the war.
• Kyiv has to date excluded giving up any territory, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could withdraw its forces to an designated point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Russia currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the bordering 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 European allies as being disproportionately favorable in Russia's direction.

This sparked a period of high-level negotiations – with all sides trying to adjust the document.

Recently, Kyiv presented the US an new framework – as well as separate documents outlining potential security guarantees and provisions for Ukraine's recovery, he added.