Britain and France Plan to Send Troops to Ukraine should a Peace Deal is Reached

The British and French governments have formalized a memorandum of understanding concerning the deployment of troops in Ukraine if a peace deal be struck with Moscow, the Prime Minister of Britain, Sir Keir Starmer, has stated.

After negotiations with allied nations in Paris, he noted that the allies would "set up defense centers throughout Ukraine and build fortified structures for arms and defense matériel" to prevent any future incursion.

The allied nations also proposed that the United States would take the lead in monitoring a halt in hostilities.

The Kremlin has consistently warned that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has so far not responded on this latest declaration.

Background and Ongoing War

Russian President Vladimir Putin began a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces presently occupies roughly 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

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

Heads of state and top officials from the "Allied Coalition" took part in Tuesday's talks.

Speaking at a combined announcement, he noted: "It paves the way for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on the ground in Ukraine, defending Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the years ahead."

The British leader added that the UK would participate in any US-led verification of a possible ceasefire.

Defense Assurances and Negotiation Stances

Senior Washington representative Steve Witkoff remarked that "long-term defense assurances and substantial reconstruction vows are essential to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – mentioning a central requirement made by the Ukrainian government.

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

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

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's supporters had made "major headway" at the meeting.

He said that "robust" security guarantees for the Ukrainian government had been reached in the instance of a prospective truce.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "major step forward" had been made in the negotiations, but cautioned that he would only deem efforts to be "sufficient" if they culminated in the conclusion of the conflict.

Recently, Zelensky indicated a peace agreement was "mostly finalized". Agreeing on the outstanding 10% would "determine the future of the peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Sovereign soil and defense assurances have been at the center of unresolved issues for the parties involved.
• The Russian President has consistently stated that Kyiv's military must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will occupy it, rejecting any concession over how to end the war.
• Zelensky has to date rejected giving up any territory, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could pull back its troops to an designated point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

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

The earlier US-led 28-point framework that was circulated to the media last year was seen by Ukraine and its partners in Europe as being strongly biased in Russia's favor.

This triggered a period of intensive discussions – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to revise the proposal.

Recently, Ukraine presented the US an updated proposal – as well as separate documents describing prospective defense assurances and plans for Ukraine's recovery, Zelensky stated.