UK and France Plan to Send Military Personnel to the Country if a Peace Agreement is Finalized

The London and Paris have signed a declaration of intent concerning the positioning of armed personnel in Ukraine should a peace agreement be concluded with Moscow, the British leader, Keir Starmer, has stated.

After talks with allied nations in the French capital, he indicated that the allies would "establish operational bases in various parts of Ukraine and build protected structures for military hardware and military equipment" to deter any future incursion.

The coalition members also suggested that the US would assume leadership in monitoring a halt in hostilities.

The Kremlin has on multiple occasions stated that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has as yet not issued a statement on this recent announcement.

The Situation and Continuing Hostilities

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, and Moscow presently holds approximately 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

"This is a vital part of our vow to stand with Ukraine for the long-term," remarked Starmer.

National leaders and high-ranking officials from the "Allied Coalition" were involved in the Paris negotiations.

He stated at a combined announcement, Starmer added: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which allied and coalition forces could operate on Ukraine's territory, protecting Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the years ahead."

The PM added that London would take part in any US-led confirmation of a possible cessation of hostilities.

Security Guarantees and Diplomatic Positions

Lead US negotiator Steve Witkoff remarked that "long-term security guarantees and substantial prosperity commitments are critical to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – alluding to a central condition made by Ukraine.

Witkoff noted the coalition had "mostly completed" their work on agreeing such assurances "to ensure the citizens of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends permanently."

The former US envoy, former American President Donald Trump's advisor, also took part in the negotiations.

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's supporters had made "significant progress" at the talks.

He noted that "robust" security guarantees for Kyiv had been agreed in the event of a prospective truce.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "huge step forward" had been made in Paris, but added that he would only deem efforts to be "sufficient" if they culminated in the conclusion of the war.

Earlier, Zelensky said a peace agreement was "largely prepared". Settling the outstanding 10% would "determine the outcome of the peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Sovereign soil and security guarantees have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for negotiators.
• The Russian President has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must pull back from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, rejecting any middle ground over how to end the war.
• Zelensky has to date rejected giving up any land, but has suggested that Ukraine could move its forces to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia follows suit.

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

The original US-led comprehensive peace plan that was circulated to the media last year was seen by Kyiv and its EU supporters as being strongly biased in Russia's direction.

This triggered a period of focused negotiations – with all sides trying to adjust the draft.

Last month, Ukraine presented the US an revised 20-point plan – as well as distinct documents detailing prospective defense assurances and arrangements for Ukraine's recovery, he added.