🔗 Share this article UK and France Plan to Send Troops to the Country if a Ceasefire Accord is Finalized The London and Paris have signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the stationing of armed personnel in Ukraine should a peace deal be struck with Russia, the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has declared. Subsequent to talks with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he said that the UK and France would "establish operational bases throughout Ukraine and construct secure structures for weapons and equipment" to deter any potential invasion. The partner countries also put forward that the US would assume leadership in overseeing a truce. Moscow 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 latest announcement. Context and Ongoing Conflict Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin initiated a major offensive of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow at this time occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory. "This is a vital part of our commitment to support Ukraine for the long-term," stated the British leader. Heads of state and top officials from the "Partner Group" took part in the Paris negotiations. He stated at a combined announcement, he further said: "It paves the way for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on Ukraine's territory, defending Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the future." The PM added that Britain would participate in any US-led confirmation of a prospective cessation of hostilities. Security Guarantees and Diplomatic Positions Top US negotiator Steve Witkoff said that "long-term safety pledges and substantial economic promises are vital to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – mentioning a central condition made by the Ukrainian government. Witkoff noted the partner nations had "substantially agreed on" their work on establishing such pledges "in order that the people of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends forever." Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's special envoy, also participated in the negotiations. Meanwhile, President Macron Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's partners had made "significant advances" at the talks. He noted that "comprehensive" safety pledges for Kyiv had been agreed in the event of a possible truce. Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "huge development" had been made in Paris, but added that he would only view efforts to be "sufficient" if they led to the conclusion of the fighting. Last week, he said a peace deal was "90% ready". Finalizing the remaining 10% would "decide the outcome of peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe". Unresolved Issues Sovereign soil and security guarantees have been at the forefront of ongoing disputes for diplomats. Putin has often said that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will take control, refusing any concession over how to finish the war. The Ukrainian President has to date ruled out giving up any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could move its troops to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia does the same. Moscow presently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the bordering Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts form the area of Donbas. The original US-led comprehensive framework that was extensively reported to the media last year was viewed by Ukraine and its EU supporters as being heavily skewed in Moscow's direction. This triggered weeks of focused diplomacy – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to amend the proposal. Last month, Ukraine presented the US an updated 20-point plan – as well as separate documents detailing possible security guarantees and provisions for Ukraine's reconstruction, the President stated.
The London and Paris have signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the stationing of armed personnel in Ukraine should a peace deal be struck with Russia, the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has declared. Subsequent to talks with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he said that the UK and France would "establish operational bases throughout Ukraine and construct secure structures for weapons and equipment" to deter any potential invasion. The partner countries also put forward that the US would assume leadership in overseeing a truce. Moscow 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 latest announcement. Context and Ongoing Conflict Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin initiated a major offensive of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow at this time occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory. "This is a vital part of our commitment to support Ukraine for the long-term," stated the British leader. Heads of state and top officials from the "Partner Group" took part in the Paris negotiations. He stated at a combined announcement, he further said: "It paves the way for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on Ukraine's territory, defending Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces for the future." The PM added that Britain would participate in any US-led confirmation of a prospective cessation of hostilities. Security Guarantees and Diplomatic Positions Top US negotiator Steve Witkoff said that "long-term safety pledges and substantial economic promises are vital to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – mentioning a central condition made by the Ukrainian government. Witkoff noted the partner nations had "substantially agreed on" their work on establishing such pledges "in order that the people of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends forever." Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's special envoy, also participated in the negotiations. Meanwhile, President Macron Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's partners had made "significant advances" at the talks. He noted that "comprehensive" safety pledges for Kyiv had been agreed in the event of a possible truce. Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "huge development" had been made in Paris, but added that he would only view efforts to be "sufficient" if they led to the conclusion of the fighting. Last week, he said a peace deal was "90% ready". Finalizing the remaining 10% would "decide the outcome of peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe". Unresolved Issues Sovereign soil and security guarantees have been at the forefront of ongoing disputes for diplomats. Putin has often said that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will take control, refusing any concession over how to finish the war. The Ukrainian President has to date ruled out giving up any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could move its troops to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia does the same. Moscow presently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the bordering Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts form the area of Donbas. The original US-led comprehensive framework that was extensively reported to the media last year was viewed by Ukraine and its EU supporters as being heavily skewed in Moscow's direction. This triggered weeks of focused diplomacy – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to amend the proposal. Last month, Ukraine presented the US an updated 20-point plan – as well as separate documents detailing possible security guarantees and provisions for Ukraine's reconstruction, the President stated.