The United Kingdom and France to Deploy Troops to the Country in the event that a Ceasefire Accord is Reached

The British and French governments have signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the positioning of military forces in the nation should a ceasefire be struck with Russia, the British leader, Sir Keir Starmer, has declared.

After discussions with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he said that the two nations would "create military hubs throughout Ukraine and erect secure installations for weapons and defense matériel" to discourage any potential attack.

The partner countries also put forward that the United States would take the lead in overseeing a truce.

Russia has on multiple occasions cautioned that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has as yet not commented on this new declaration.

Background and Ongoing Hostilities

Russian President Vladimir Putin began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, and Russian forces currently occupies about 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

"This represents an essential component of our vow to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future," stated Starmer.

National leaders and top officials from the "Partner Group" participated in the recent discussions.

Speaking at a combined announcement, he added: "It paves the way for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the time to come."

The UK prime minister went on to say that Britain would be involved in any American-headed verification of a possible cessation of hostilities.

Protection Pledges and Diplomatic Positions

Top Washington representative Steve Witkoff remarked that "lasting safety pledges and strong reconstruction vows are vital to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – mentioning a major requirement made by Kyiv.

The negotiator noted the allies had "largely finished" their work on establishing such assurances "so that the people of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends for good."

Jared Kushner, ex-President Donald Trump's advisor, also was involved in the negotiations.

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

He said that "robust" safety pledges for Ukraine had been reached in the case of a prospective ceasefire.

President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "significant development" had been made in the talks, but cautioned that he would only view efforts to be "sufficient" if they resulted in the end of the war.

Last week, Zelensky said a peace agreement was "largely prepared". Agreeing on the remaining 10% would "decide the outcome of the agreement, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Land and security guarantees have been at the heart of ongoing disputes for the parties involved.
• Putin has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must retreat from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will take control, dismissing any compromise over how to finish the war.
• Kyiv has to date rejected giving up any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could move its troops to an agreed point – but only if Russia does the same.

Russia currently holds about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and some 99% of the bordering Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the area of Donbas.

The initial US-led multi-point proposal that was widely leaked to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its EU supporters as being heavily skewed in Russia's direction.

This led to weeks of focused negotiations – with all sides trying to adjust the proposal.

The previous month, Ukraine presented the US an revised framework – as well as separate documents describing possible security guarantees and arrangements for Ukraine's reconstruction, he added.