UK and France to Deploy Military Personnel to Ukraine should a Ceasefire Accord is Agreed

The London and Paris have inked a declaration of intent concerning the stationing of troops in Ukraine in the event a ceasefire be struck with Russia, the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has stated.

Following negotiations with allied nations in the French capital, he said that the two nations would "set up operational bases throughout Ukraine and construct protected installations for arms and defense matériel" to discourage any potential incursion.

The coalition members also put forward that the America would assume leadership in verifying a truce.

Russia has consistently stated that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has as yet not issued a statement on this new announcement.

Context and Ongoing Conflict

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow presently controls approximately 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

"This constitutes a crucial element of our vow to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future," remarked Starmer.

National leaders and senior officials from the "Partner Group" were involved in the recent discussions.

Speaking at a combined announcement, he further said: "It establishes the framework for the juridical structure under which allied and coalition forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukraine's airspace and waters, and restoring Ukraine's military for the time to come."

The UK prime minister added that the UK would participate in any US-led verification of a potential ceasefire.

Security Guarantees and Negotiation Stances

Top US negotiator Steve Witkoff stated that "long-term safety pledges and robust reconstruction vows are critical to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – referring to a central condition made by the Ukrainian government.

The negotiator noted the coalition had "substantially agreed on" their work on agreeing such guarantees "so that the people of Ukraine know that when this hostilities ends, it ends for good."

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

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's allies had made "considerable headway" at the talks.

He said that "strong" safety pledges for the Ukrainian government had been settled upon in the event of a possible ceasefire.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "huge step forward" had been made in Paris, but added that he would only deem efforts to be "adequate" if they culminated in the cessation of the war.

Recently, the Ukrainian leader indicated a peace agreement was "90% ready". Settling the remaining 10% would "shape the future of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Sovereign soil and security guarantees have been at the forefront of ongoing disputes for the parties involved.
• The Russian President has consistently stated that Ukrainian troops must retreat from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will occupy it, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war.
• Zelensky has thus far ruled out ceding any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could move its troops to an agreed point – but only if Russia does the same.

Moscow currently occupies about 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The areas form the heartland of the Donbas.

The earlier US-led 28-point peace plan that was extensively reported to the media last year was perceived by Ukraine and its EU supporters as being heavily skewed in Russia's direction.

This led to a period of intensive negotiations – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to amend the document.

Last month, Kyiv sent the US an revised proposal – as well as distinct documents outlining possible defense assurances and provisions for Ukraine's recovery, Zelensky stated.