Britain and France Plan to Send Forces to Ukraine in the event that a Peace Deal is Reached

The London and Paris have formalized a memorandum of understanding concerning the positioning of military forces in the nation should a peace agreement be struck with Russia, the UK Prime Minister, Starmer, has stated.

Following negotiations with Kyiv's partners in the French capital, he noted that the two nations would "create defense centers across Ukraine and erect protected facilities for weapons and equipment" to deter any subsequent incursion.

The coalition members also proposed that the United States would assume leadership in monitoring a truce.

The Kremlin has consistently cautioned that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has as yet not responded on this recent declaration.

Background and Continuing Conflict

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, and Russian forces currently controls roughly 20% of the country's land.

"This constitutes a crucial element of our pledge to stand with Ukraine for the duration," stated the UK Prime Minister.

Top officials and senior officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" were involved in the Paris negotiations.

Speaking at a combined announcement, the Prime Minister added: "It creates the pathway for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could work on the ground in Ukraine, defending Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and regenerating Ukraine's defense capabilities for the future."

The British leader added that the UK would take part in any US-led verification of a potential cessation of hostilities.

Defense Assurances and Diplomatic Positions

Top Washington representative Steve Witkoff said that "durable safety pledges and substantial prosperity commitments are vital to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – mentioning a central requirement made by Kyiv.

Witkoff noted the coalition had "mostly completed" their work on agreeing such pledges "to ensure the people of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends for good."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, former American President Donald Trump's representative, also participated in the negotiations.

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

He noted that "strong" defense assurances for Kyiv had been agreed in the case of a potential ceasefire.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "significant development" had been made in the talks, but added that he would only consider efforts to be "enough" if they culminated in the conclusion of the war.

Earlier, he suggested a peace agreement was "90% ready". Agreeing on the outstanding 10% would "shape the fate of the agreement, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Remaining Challenges

• Land and defense assurances have been at the center of unresolved issues for diplomats.
• Moscow has often said that Kyiv's military must retreat from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will occupy it, refusing any compromise over how to finish the war.
• Zelensky has thus far rejected surrendering any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Russian forces currently holds approximately 75% of the Donetsk oblast and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The areas form the heartland of Donbas.

The initial US-led 28-point peace plan that was extensively reported to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its EU supporters as being heavily skewed in Russia's favor.

This triggered weeks of focused diplomacy – with all sides trying to amend the document.

Last month, Kyiv submitted the US an revised proposal – as well as separate documents describing prospective security guarantees and arrangements for Ukraine's rebuilding, he said.