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

The UK and France have signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the deployment of military forces in the nation in the event a ceasefire be made with Moscow, the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has announced.

Following discussions with Kyiv's partners in Paris, he said that the two nations would "set up defense centers across Ukraine and construct protected structures for arms and equipment" to prevent any subsequent incursion.

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

Moscow has consistently stated that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has not yet issued a statement on this latest declaration.

Context and Ongoing War

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin launched a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russia currently controls approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This is a vital part of our pledge to be alongside Ukraine for the duration," stated the UK Prime Minister.

National leaders and high-ranking officials from the "Partner Group" took part in the Paris negotiations.

Speaking at a joint press conference, he further said: "It paves the way for the operational parameters under which allied and coalition forces could operate on the ground in Ukraine, defending Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and rebuilding Ukraine's military for the future."

The PM went on to say that the UK would participate in any American-headed verification of a prospective cessation of hostilities.

Defense Assurances and Diplomatic Positions

Senior American diplomat Steve Witkoff said that "long-term defense assurances and substantial prosperity commitments are essential to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – mentioning a major requirement made by the Ukrainian government.

Witkoff noted the allies had "largely finished" their work on agreeing such assurances "so that the people of Ukraine know that when this hostilities ends, it ends permanently."

The former US envoy, ex-President Donald Trump's special envoy, also participated in the talks.

At the same time, France's leader Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's partners had made "major advances" at the talks.

He noted that "comprehensive" security guarantees for Ukraine had been settled upon in the instance of a possible ceasefire.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "significant advance" had been made in Paris, but added that he would only deem efforts to be "sufficient" if they led to the end of the war.

Recently, he suggested a peace deal was "90% ready". Finalizing the remaining 10% would "decide the future of the agreement, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Land and security guarantees have been at the center of unresolved issues for negotiators.
• Putin has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will occupy it, refusing any middle ground over how to conclude the war.
• The Ukrainian President has to date rejected surrendering any land, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an agreed point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Moscow currently holds approximately 75% of the Donetsk oblast and some 99% of the bordering Luhansk region. The two regions form the area of the Donbas.

The earlier US-led comprehensive framework that was extensively reported to the media last year was viewed by Ukraine and its EU supporters as being strongly biased in Moscow's direction.

This triggered weeks of intensive discussions – with the involved parties trying to revise the proposal.

Last month, Kyiv submitted the US an new framework – as well as distinct documents outlining potential security guarantees and arrangements for Ukraine's rebuilding, Zelensky added.