The United Kingdom and France Will Dispatch Troops to Ukraine in the event that a Peace Agreement is Agreed

The London and Paris have signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the stationing of armed personnel in the nation if a ceasefire be struck with Russia, the UK Prime Minister, Starmer, has stated.

After talks with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he indicated that the two nations would "set up operational bases across Ukraine and erect secure facilities for weapons and defense matériel" to deter any subsequent invasion.

The allied nations also put forward that the US would assume leadership in verifying a truce.

The Kremlin has on multiple occasions warned that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has not yet responded on this latest declaration.

Background and Continuing Hostilities

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Russian forces currently holds approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This is a vital part of our pledge to support Ukraine for the duration," commented the British leader.

Heads of state and high-ranking officials from the "Allied Coalition" were involved in Tuesday's talks.

Speaking at a joint press conference, the Prime Minister further said: "It paves the way for the operational parameters under which allied and coalition forces could work on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the future."

The PM added that London would take part in any American-headed confirmation of a potential ceasefire.

Security Guarantees and Diplomatic Positions

Top Washington representative Steve Witkoff said that "lasting safety pledges and strong prosperity commitments are vital to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – referring to a central condition made by Ukraine.

The negotiator noted the allies had "mostly completed" their work on finalizing such guarantees "to ensure the Ukrainian people know that when this conflict ends, it ends forever."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, former American President Donald Trump's special envoy, also was involved in the discussions.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's partners had made "major advances" at the negotiations.

He noted that "strong" safety pledges for Kyiv had been settled upon in the instance of a potential ceasefire.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "major step forward" had been made in the negotiations, but qualified that he would only view efforts to be "adequate" if they resulted in the cessation of the fighting.

Earlier, the Ukrainian leader said a settlement was "largely prepared". Agreeing on the last 10% would "decide the future of the agreement, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Land and defense assurances have been at the center of unresolved issues for negotiators.
• Putin has often said that Ukraine's forces must pull back from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, rejecting any concession over how to finish the war.
• Zelensky has so far ruled out surrendering any land, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could pull back its troops to an designated point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Moscow currently controls approximately 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The areas form the heartland of Donbas.

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

This led to weeks of intensive discussions – with all sides trying to adjust the draft.

The previous month, Kyiv submitted the US an updated 20-point plan – as well as separate documents describing prospective defense assurances and provisions for Ukraine's reconstruction, Zelensky said.