The United Kingdom and France Will Dispatch Troops to Ukraine if a Peace Agreement is Reached

The British and French governments have formalized a declaration of intent concerning the stationing of armed personnel in Ukraine should a peace deal be made with Russia, the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has announced.

After talks with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he indicated that the UK and France would "create operational bases throughout Ukraine and construct fortified structures for arms and military equipment" to deter any potential incursion.

The allied nations also suggested that the United States would assume leadership in verifying a ceasefire.

Russia has repeatedly cautioned that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has not yet issued a statement on this latest development.

The Situation and Continuing Hostilities

Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Russia currently holds approximately 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

"This constitutes a crucial element of our vow to support Ukraine for the duration," remarked Starmer.

Heads of state and high-ranking officials from the "Allied Coalition" took part in the Paris negotiations.

He stated at a joint press conference, Starmer added: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, defending Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the years ahead."

The UK prime minister also stated that London would take part in any US-led monitoring of a potential ceasefire.

Security Guarantees and Diplomatic Positions

Top Washington representative Steve Witkoff stated that "durable security guarantees and strong economic promises are vital to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – referring to a central requirement made by the Ukrainian government.

He indicated the allies had "substantially agreed on" their work on establishing such assurances "to ensure the citizens of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends forever."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, ex-President Donald Trump's advisor, also participated in the talks.

Separately, President Macron Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's partners had made "major headway" at the talks.

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

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "huge development" had been made in Paris, but cautioned that he would only consider efforts to be "sufficient" if they culminated in the end of the conflict.

Last week, the Ukrainian leader suggested a peace agreement was "mostly finalized". Finalizing the outstanding 10% would "determine the fate of the peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Sovereign soil and defense assurances have been at the center of key disagreements for diplomats.
• The Russian President has often said that Kyiv's military must pull back from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will occupy it, refusing any middle ground over how to finish the war.
• Zelensky has to date excluded surrendering any territory, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an designated point – but only if Russia does the same.

Russian forces currently controls approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the adjacent Luhansk. The two regions form the industrial region of the Donbas.

The original US-led comprehensive proposal that was widely leaked to the media last year was viewed by Kyiv and its EU supporters as being disproportionately favorable in Moscow's favor.

This triggered a period of intensive negotiations – with the involved parties trying to adjust the draft.

Recently, The Ukrainian government presented the US an revised framework – as well as separate documents describing possible security guarantees and arrangements for Ukraine's rebuilding, the President added.