Britain and France Will Dispatch Military Personnel to the Country in the event that a Peace Deal is Agreed

The British and French governments have signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the deployment of troops in the nation should a peace deal be struck with Russia, the British leader, Keir Starmer, has declared.

Subsequent to talks with Kyiv's partners in Paris, he noted that the UK and France would "establish operational bases in various parts of Ukraine and construct fortified installations for military hardware and equipment" to prevent any subsequent invasion.

The partner countries also suggested that the America would take the lead in verifying a ceasefire.

The Kremlin has consistently warned that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has so far not commented on this recent declaration.

The Situation and Ongoing Hostilities

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a major offensive of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Russian forces currently occupies approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This constitutes a crucial element of our pledge to stand with Ukraine for the long-term," commented Starmer.

National leaders and senior officials from the "Allied Coalition" participated in Tuesday's talks.

He stated at a joint press conference, the Prime Minister added: "It establishes the framework for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could function on Ukrainian soil, defending Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's defense capabilities for the years ahead."

The UK prime minister added that the UK would participate in any Washington-directed verification of a potential truce.

Security Guarantees and Negotiation Stances

Senior American diplomat Steve Witkoff stated that "lasting defense assurances and robust economic promises are critical to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – referring to a major demand made by Kyiv.

Witkoff noted the allies had "mostly completed" their work on establishing such pledges "in order that the people of Ukraine know that when this hostilities ends, it ends forever."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, ex-President Donald Trump's special envoy, also was involved in the negotiations.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's partners had made "significant headway" at the talks.

He noted that "robust" defense assurances for the Ukrainian government had been settled upon in the instance of a prospective truce.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "huge step forward" had been made in Paris, but added that he would only consider efforts to be "adequate" if they culminated in the cessation of the war.

Recently, Zelensky said a settlement was "mostly finalized". Finalizing the last 10% would "determine the outcome of the peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Territory and security guarantees have been at the forefront of key disagreements for negotiators.
• Putin has often said that Kyiv's military must retreat from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will occupy it, refusing any compromise over how to end the war.
• The Ukrainian President has so far rejected giving up any land, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could withdraw its forces to an agreed point – but only if Russia does the same.

Moscow 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 comprehensive proposal that was extensively reported to the media last year was perceived by Ukraine and its European allies as being strongly biased in Russia's direction.

This led to a period of high-level negotiations – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to amend the proposal.

The previous month, Ukraine sent the US an updated framework – as well as additional documents detailing potential security guarantees and provisions for Ukraine's rebuilding, Zelensky said.