UK and France Plan to Send Military Personnel to Ukraine should a Ceasefire Accord is Agreed

The UK and France have inked a memorandum of understanding concerning the positioning of armed personnel in Ukraine should a ceasefire be struck with Moscow, the Prime Minister of Britain, Starmer, has announced.

After negotiations with Kyiv's partners in the French capital, he indicated that the UK and France would "establish military hubs throughout Ukraine and construct fortified structures for weapons and defense matériel" to prevent any future attack.

The partner countries also suggested that the America would assume leadership in overseeing a ceasefire.

Russia has repeatedly stated that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has as yet not responded on this latest declaration.

Context and Continuing Conflict

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russia presently holds approximately 20% of the country's land.

"This is a vital part of our commitment to support Ukraine for the long-term," stated the British leader.

Heads of state and high-ranking officials from the "Allied Coalition" participated in the recent discussions.

Addressing reporters at a joint press conference, the Prime Minister added: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which allied and coalition forces could function on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the years ahead."

The UK prime minister also stated that London would take part in any US-led confirmation of a prospective truce.

Defense Assurances and Diplomatic Positions

Lead Washington representative Steve Witkoff remarked that "durable defense assurances and strong economic promises are essential to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – referring to a key demand made by Ukraine.

The negotiator said the partner nations had "largely finished" their work on finalizing such guarantees "so that the Ukrainian people know that when this conflict ends, it ends for good."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, US President Donald Trump's representative, also was involved in the discussions.

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's allies had made "significant headway" at the talks.

He noted that "comprehensive" defense assurances for Ukraine had been agreed in the event of a potential ceasefire.

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

Last week, Zelensky indicated a settlement was "largely prepared". Agreeing on the last 10% would "decide the fate of peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Sovereign soil and security guarantees have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for diplomats.
• Putin has often said that Ukrainian troops must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, dismissing any concession over how to finish the war.
• Kyiv has so far excluded giving up any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could move its forces to an agreed point – but only if Russia does the same.

Russia presently controls about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions form the heartland of the Donbas.

The earlier US-led comprehensive framework that was extensively reported to the media last year was perceived by Ukraine and its European allies as being heavily skewed in Moscow's favor.

This triggered weeks of intensive negotiations – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to revise the draft.

The previous month, The Ukrainian government presented the US an updated proposal – as well as distinct documents outlining prospective defense assurances and arrangements for Ukraine's reconstruction, the President said.