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

The UK and France have signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the stationing of troops in the nation should a peace deal be concluded with Russia, the Prime Minister of Britain, Sir Keir Starmer, has stated.

After talks with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he indicated that the UK and France would "create military hubs in various parts of Ukraine and construct secure structures for arms and equipment" to discourage any future attack.

The allied nations also proposed that the US would assume leadership in verifying a ceasefire.

Moscow has on multiple occasions stated that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has so far not issued a statement on this latest declaration.

The Situation and Ongoing Conflict

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Russian forces at this time controls approximately 20% of the country's land.

"This represents an essential component of our pledge to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future," stated the UK Prime Minister.

Heads of state and high-ranking officials from the "Partner Group" participated in the Paris negotiations.

Addressing reporters at a joint press conference, Starmer noted: "It creates the pathway for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukraine's airspace and waters, and restoring Ukraine's armed forces for the future."

The UK prime minister added that London would participate in any US-led confirmation of a potential ceasefire.

Defense Assurances and Negotiation Stances

Top Washington representative Steve Witkoff remarked that "durable security guarantees and robust prosperity commitments are essential to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – mentioning a key demand made by Ukraine.

He noted the allies had "largely finished" their work on finalizing such assurances "in order that the Ukrainian people know that when this conflict ends, it ends for good."

Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's advisor, also participated in the discussions.

At the same time, France's leader Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's partners had made "considerable advances" at the negotiations.

He said that "comprehensive" safety pledges for Ukraine had been reached in the event of a prospective truce.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "significant step forward" had been made in Paris, but cautioned that he would only consider efforts to be "enough" if they culminated in the conclusion of the war.

Earlier, Zelensky indicated a peace agreement was "mostly finalized". Settling the last 10% would "decide the outcome of the peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Territory and security guarantees have been at the heart of ongoing disputes for negotiators.
• Moscow has often said that Ukraine's forces must retreat from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will occupy it, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war.
• Zelensky has to date excluded giving up any territory, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could pull back its troops to an designated point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Russia currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The two regions form the heartland of Donbas.

The initial US-led comprehensive peace plan that was widely leaked to the media last year was seen by Kyiv and its European allies as being disproportionately favorable in Russia's direction.

This sparked weeks of focused diplomacy – with the involved parties trying to revise the proposal.

Last month, Ukraine submitted the US an updated 20-point plan – as well as additional documents detailing potential defense assurances and provisions for Ukraine's recovery, the President said.