🔗 Share this article Britain and France Plan to Send Troops to Ukraine if a Peace Agreement is Agreed The UK and France have signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the positioning of troops in Ukraine if a ceasefire be struck with Moscow, the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has announced. Following negotiations with allied nations in Paris, he said that the two nations would "establish military hubs in various parts of Ukraine and construct protected installations for weapons and defense matériel" to discourage any future attack. The partner countries also proposed that the America would assume leadership in monitoring a ceasefire. Russia has consistently warned that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has so far not commented on this recent development. The Situation and Ongoing Conflict Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in early 2022, and Russia at this time occupies roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory. "This represents an essential component of our pledge to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future," stated the UK Prime Minister. Top officials and high-ranking officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" were involved in Tuesday's talks. He stated at a combined announcement, Starmer added: "It establishes the framework for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could function on the ground in Ukraine, defending Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and restoring Ukraine's military for the future." The PM added that London would participate in any US-led confirmation of a potential truce. Defense Assurances and Negotiation Stances Senior American diplomat Steve Witkoff remarked that "durable defense assurances and substantial economic promises are vital to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – alluding to a key demand made by Ukraine. He said the coalition had "largely finished" their work on finalizing such guarantees "so that the people of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends permanently." Donald Trump's son-in-law, ex-President Donald Trump's representative, also participated in the discussions. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's partners had made "significant headway" at the negotiations. He said that "comprehensive" security guarantees for Kyiv had been agreed in the case of a prospective truce. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "significant development" had been made in the talks, but added that he would only deem efforts to be "adequate" if they resulted in the end of the conflict. Last week, Zelensky indicated a peace deal was "mostly finalized". Settling the remaining 10% would "shape the future of peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe". Unresolved Issues Sovereign soil and defense assurances have been at the heart of key disagreements for negotiators. The Russian President has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's forces must retreat from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, refusing any compromise over how to conclude the war. Zelensky has so far ruled out ceding any land, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could move its forces to an designated point – but only if Russia does the same. Russian forces presently occupies approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the bordering Luhansk. The areas form the area of Donbas. The original US-led 28-point peace plan that was circulated to the media last year was viewed by Ukraine and its EU supporters as being strongly biased in Moscow's direction. This led to a period of focused discussions – with the involved parties trying to revise the proposal. The previous month, Kyiv presented the US an updated framework – as well as distinct documents detailing possible defense assurances and arrangements for Ukraine's recovery, Zelensky said.
The UK and France have signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the positioning of troops in Ukraine if a ceasefire be struck with Moscow, the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has announced. Following negotiations with allied nations in Paris, he said that the two nations would "establish military hubs in various parts of Ukraine and construct protected installations for weapons and defense matériel" to discourage any future attack. The partner countries also proposed that the America would assume leadership in monitoring a ceasefire. Russia has consistently warned that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has so far not commented on this recent development. The Situation and Ongoing Conflict Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in early 2022, and Russia at this time occupies roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory. "This represents an essential component of our pledge to support Ukraine for the foreseeable future," stated the UK Prime Minister. Top officials and high-ranking officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" were involved in Tuesday's talks. He stated at a combined announcement, Starmer added: "It establishes the framework for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could function on the ground in Ukraine, defending Ukraine's air and maritime domains, and restoring Ukraine's military for the future." The PM added that London would participate in any US-led confirmation of a potential truce. Defense Assurances and Negotiation Stances Senior American diplomat Steve Witkoff remarked that "durable defense assurances and substantial economic promises are vital to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – alluding to a key demand made by Ukraine. He said the coalition had "largely finished" their work on finalizing such guarantees "so that the people of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends permanently." Donald Trump's son-in-law, ex-President Donald Trump's representative, also participated in the discussions. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's partners had made "significant headway" at the negotiations. He said that "comprehensive" security guarantees for Kyiv had been agreed in the case of a prospective truce. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "significant development" had been made in the talks, but added that he would only deem efforts to be "adequate" if they resulted in the end of the conflict. Last week, Zelensky indicated a peace deal was "mostly finalized". Settling the remaining 10% would "shape the future of peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe". Unresolved Issues Sovereign soil and defense assurances have been at the heart of key disagreements for negotiators. The Russian President has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's forces must retreat from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, refusing any compromise over how to conclude the war. Zelensky has so far ruled out ceding any land, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could move its forces to an designated point – but only if Russia does the same. Russian forces presently occupies approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the bordering Luhansk. The areas form the area of Donbas. The original US-led 28-point peace plan that was circulated to the media last year was viewed by Ukraine and its EU supporters as being strongly biased in Moscow's direction. This led to a period of focused discussions – with the involved parties trying to revise the proposal. The previous month, Kyiv presented the US an updated framework – as well as distinct documents detailing possible defense assurances and arrangements for Ukraine's recovery, Zelensky said.