Britain and France to Deploy Forces to the Country in the event that a Peace Agreement is Reached

The British and French governments have inked a memorandum of understanding concerning the deployment of military forces in the nation in the event a peace deal be struck with Moscow, the Prime Minister of Britain, Keir Starmer, has stated.

After talks with allied nations in Paris, he noted that the UK and France would "establish military hubs in various parts of Ukraine and erect protected structures for arms and military equipment" to discourage any future incursion.

The coalition members also put forward that the America would take the lead in overseeing a ceasefire.

Moscow has consistently stated that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "valid objective", but has so far not issued a statement on this recent announcement.

The Situation and Ongoing Conflict

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russia presently holds about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This is a vital part of our vow to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future," commented the UK Prime Minister.

Heads of state and senior officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" took part in the recent discussions.

Addressing reporters at a joint press conference, Starmer noted: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which British, French, and partner forces could function on Ukrainian soil, defending Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the time to come."

The PM added that the UK would participate in any Washington-directed monitoring of a prospective cessation of hostilities.

Defense Assurances and Diplomatic Positions

Lead Washington representative Steve Witkoff said that "long-term security guarantees and strong economic promises are critical to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – mentioning a key condition made by Ukraine.

The negotiator noted the allies had "substantially agreed on" their work on finalizing such guarantees "to ensure the Ukrainian people know that when this war ends, it ends for good."

Jared Kushner, former American President Donald Trump's advisor, also took part in the talks.

Meanwhile, President Macron Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's supporters had made "considerable progress" at the negotiations.

He added that "robust" security guarantees for Kyiv had been agreed in the case of a prospective ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "huge step forward" had been made in Paris, but qualified that he would only view efforts to be "adequate" if they resulted in the conclusion of the war.

Recently, the Ukrainian leader suggested a settlement was "largely prepared". Agreeing on the remaining 10% would "shape the outcome of the agreement, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Territory and defense assurances have been at the heart of key disagreements for negotiators.
• The Russian President has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must retreat from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will take control, refusing any compromise over how to finish the war.
• Zelensky has to date excluded surrendering any land, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Russian forces presently controls approximately 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The areas form the industrial region of Donbas.

The earlier US-led comprehensive proposal that was widely leaked to the media last year was seen by Ukraine and its EU supporters as being heavily skewed in Russia's direction.

This triggered weeks of focused diplomacy – with all sides trying to adjust the document.

The previous month, The Ukrainian government sent the US an revised proposal – as well as additional documents detailing prospective security guarantees and arrangements for Ukraine's rebuilding, he added.