The United Kingdom and France Plan to Send Military Personnel to Ukraine if a Peace Agreement is Reached

The UK and France have signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the positioning of armed personnel in the nation if a peace agreement be made with Russia, the Prime Minister of Britain, Starmer, has declared.

Following discussions with Kyiv's partners in Paris, he said that the UK and France would "create defense centers in various parts of Ukraine and erect protected facilities for arms and equipment" to discourage any future attack.

The allied nations also proposed that the US would assume leadership in verifying a ceasefire.

Russia has consistently stated that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has not yet commented on this new announcement.

The Situation and Ongoing War

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin launched a major offensive of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Russia presently occupies approximately 20% of the country's land.

"This represents an essential component of our vow to stand with Ukraine for the long-term," stated Starmer.

Heads of state and senior officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" participated in Tuesday's talks.

He stated at a shared media briefing, Starmer further said: "It creates the pathway for the juridical structure under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the future."

The British leader added that Britain would be involved in any US-led monitoring of a prospective truce.

Security Guarantees and Diplomatic Positions

Senior US negotiator Steve Witkoff stated that "long-term security guarantees and substantial economic promises are essential to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – alluding to a major condition made by the Ukrainian government.

He indicated the coalition had "mostly completed" their work on finalizing such pledges "in order that the Ukrainian people know that when this hostilities ends, it ends forever."

The former US envoy, US President Donald Trump's advisor, also was involved in the talks.

Meanwhile, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's partners had made "major advances" at the meeting.

He added that "comprehensive" safety pledges for Kyiv had been reached in the instance of a possible truce.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "major advance" had been made in the negotiations, but added that he would only consider efforts to be "adequate" if they culminated in the conclusion of the conflict.

Earlier, Zelensky suggested a peace agreement was "largely prepared". Settling the remaining 10% would "shape the outcome of peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Territory and security guarantees have been at the heart of ongoing disputes for the parties involved.
• Moscow has consistently stated that Ukraine's forces must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, dismissing any middle ground over how to conclude the war.
• Kyiv has so far rejected ceding any land, but has proposed that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an designated point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

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

The earlier US-led multi-point proposal that was circulated to the media last year was viewed by Ukraine and its European allies as being strongly biased in Moscow's direction.

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

The previous month, Kyiv presented the US an new framework – as well as additional documents detailing potential security guarantees and arrangements for Ukraine's recovery, Zelensky added.