The United Kingdom and France Will Dispatch Forces to Ukraine if a Peace Agreement is Agreed
The UK and France have inked a statement of purpose concerning the deployment of armed personnel in Ukraine in the event a peace deal be struck with Moscow, the British leader, Starmer, has declared.
Following negotiations with Kyiv's partners in the French capital, he noted that the two nations would "set up defense centers throughout Ukraine and build secure facilities for military hardware and military equipment" to discourage any potential incursion.
The allied nations also proposed that the America would assume leadership in verifying a truce.
The Kremlin has consistently warned that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has not yet responded on this latest announcement.
Background and Ongoing War
The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, and Moscow at this time occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
"This constitutes a crucial element of our pledge to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future," stated the British leader.
Top officials and senior officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" took part in the recent discussions.
He stated at a combined announcement, the Prime Minister noted: "It establishes the framework for the operational parameters under which allied and coalition forces could operate on the ground in Ukraine, protecting Ukraine's airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's defense capabilities for the years ahead."
The UK prime minister also stated that Britain would take part in any US-led monitoring of a prospective cessation of hostilities.
Protection Pledges and Diplomatic Positions
Top US negotiator Steve Witkoff stated that "lasting defense assurances and strong prosperity commitments are essential to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – referring to a major requirement made by Kyiv.
He said the coalition had "mostly completed" their work on establishing such assurances "so that the citizens of Ukraine know that when this hostilities ends, it ends forever."
The former US envoy, ex-President Donald Trump's special envoy, also participated in the discussions.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's supporters had made "significant headway" at the talks.
He said that "comprehensive" safety pledges for Ukraine had been agreed in the instance of a possible truce.
President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "huge step forward" had been made in Paris, but added that he would only deem efforts to be "enough" if they led to the end of the fighting.
Earlier, Zelensky said a peace agreement was "mostly finalized". Settling the remaining 10% would "determine the fate of the agreement, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".
Outstanding Matters
- Land and defense assurances have been at the forefront of key disagreements for diplomats.
- Putin has often said that Ukrainian troops must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will occupy it, dismissing any concession over how to finish the war.
- Zelensky has to date ruled out giving up any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could pull back its forces 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 two regions form the heartland of the Donbas.
The original US-led 28-point framework that was circulated to the media last year was seen by Kyiv and its EU supporters as being disproportionately favorable in Moscow's direction.
This led to a period of high-level negotiations – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to revise the draft.
Last month, Ukraine sent the US an new proposal – as well as distinct documents describing prospective security guarantees and plans for Ukraine's reconstruction, Zelensky said.
