UK and France Plan to Send Military Personnel to the Country in the event that a Ceasefire Accord is Agreed

The UK and France have signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the positioning of military forces in Ukraine in the event a ceasefire be made with Russia, the Prime Minister of Britain, Sir Keir Starmer, has stated.

Subsequent to discussions with allied nations in Paris, he indicated that the two nations would "create military hubs in various parts of Ukraine and erect secure structures for military hardware and military equipment" to prevent any potential attack.

The partner countries also put forward that the US would play the primary role in overseeing a truce.

Moscow has on multiple occasions cautioned that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has as yet not responded on this latest development.

Background and Continuing War

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Russia currently occupies roughly 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

"This represents an essential component of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the duration," commented the British leader.

National leaders and high-ranking officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" were involved in the recent discussions.

Addressing reporters at a shared media briefing, he noted: "It establishes the framework for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and restoring Ukraine's armed forces for the years ahead."

The British leader added that London would be involved in any US-led verification of a possible cessation of hostilities.

Security Guarantees and Negotiation Stances

Top American diplomat Steve Witkoff said that "durable safety pledges and substantial prosperity commitments are vital to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – referring to a major requirement made by Ukraine.

Witkoff said the partner nations had "mostly completed" their work on finalizing such pledges "so that the citizens of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends forever."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, US President Donald Trump's special envoy, also took part in the talks.

Separately, President Macron Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's allies had made "considerable progress" at the negotiations.

He added that "strong" defense assurances for the Ukrainian government had been reached in the case of a potential truce.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "huge step forward" had been made in the negotiations, but qualified that he would only view efforts to be "sufficient" if they led to the end of the conflict.

Recently, Zelensky suggested a peace agreement was "90% ready". Finalizing the remaining 10% would "determine the fate of the peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Territory and security guarantees have been at the forefront of key disagreements for diplomats.
• The Russian President has consistently stated that Ukraine's forces must retreat from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will take control, refusing any compromise over how to conclude the war.
• The Ukrainian President has thus far ruled out giving up any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could move its forces to an agreed point – but only if Russia follows suit.

Russian forces currently controls approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the adjacent Luhansk. The two regions form the industrial region of the Donbas.

The original US-led 28-point peace plan that was circulated to the media last year was viewed by Kyiv and its partners in Europe as being heavily skewed in Moscow's direction.

This triggered a period of intensive diplomacy – with all sides trying to adjust the proposal.

Last month, Ukraine presented the US an updated framework – as well as distinct documents outlining potential defense assurances and provisions for Ukraine's reconstruction, he said.