UK and France Will Dispatch Troops to Ukraine in the event that a Peace Deal is Reached

The London and Paris have inked a memorandum of understanding concerning the deployment of military forces in the nation in the event a peace agreement be struck with Moscow, the Prime Minister of Britain, Keir Starmer, has declared.

Subsequent to discussions with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he noted that the allies would "create operational bases across Ukraine and erect fortified structures for weapons and military equipment" to deter any potential incursion.

The coalition members also proposed that the US would take the lead in verifying a truce.

Russia has consistently stated that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has so far not responded on this new declaration.

Background and Ongoing Conflict

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin initiated a major offensive of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Russian forces at this time holds approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This represents an essential component of our pledge to support Ukraine for the long-term," stated the British leader.

Heads of state and senior officials from the "Allied Coalition" took part in the Paris negotiations.

Addressing reporters at a shared media briefing, the Prime Minister further said: "It establishes the framework for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could work on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukraine's airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's military for the time to come."

The PM went on to say that London would participate in any Washington-directed verification of a potential truce.

Defense Assurances and Negotiation Stances

Top US negotiator Steve Witkoff remarked that "durable safety pledges and robust reconstruction vows are critical to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – referring to a major condition made by Ukraine.

He noted the allies had "largely finished" their work on finalizing such assurances "to ensure the people of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends for good."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, former American President Donald Trump's special envoy, also took part in the talks.

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's supporters had made "major progress" at the negotiations.

He noted that "strong" defense assurances for Kyiv had been settled upon in the instance of a potential truce.

President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "major development" had been made in Paris, but added that he would only view efforts to be "enough" if they resulted in the end of the war.

Earlier, Zelensky suggested a peace agreement was "mostly finalized". Agreeing on the last 10% would "determine the future of the peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Sovereign soil and defense assurances have been at the center of key disagreements for diplomats.
• Putin has consistently stated that Kyiv's military must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will take control, dismissing any concession over how to end the war.
• The Ukrainian President has so far excluded surrendering any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could pull back its forces to an agreed point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Russia presently occupies approximately 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions form the industrial region of Donbas.

The original US-led 28-point proposal that was widely leaked to the media last year was perceived by Ukraine and its European allies as being heavily skewed in Moscow's direction.

This triggered weeks of high-level diplomacy – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to revise the proposal.

Recently, The Ukrainian government sent the US an new framework – as well as separate documents detailing prospective defense assurances and provisions for Ukraine's recovery, Zelensky added.