Britain and France Plan to Send Forces to Ukraine in the event that a Ceasefire Accord is Agreed
The UK and France have formalized a memorandum of understanding concerning the stationing of armed personnel in Ukraine in the event a peace deal be concluded with Moscow, the British leader, Keir Starmer, has announced.
Following negotiations with Kyiv's partners in the French capital, he noted that the allies would "establish operational bases across Ukraine and build fortified installations for arms and defense matériel" to prevent any future invasion.
The allied nations also proposed that the US would play the primary role in verifying a truce.
Moscow has repeatedly cautioned that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has not yet commented on this new announcement.
Context and Ongoing War
Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin launched a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in early 2022, and Moscow at this time occupies approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.
"This constitutes a crucial element of our pledge to stand with Ukraine for the duration," remarked Starmer.
Heads of state and senior officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" took part in the recent discussions.
Addressing reporters at a shared media briefing, he added: "It creates the pathway for the legal framework under which allied and coalition forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, protecting Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's military for the time to come."
The UK prime minister went on to say that Britain would take part in any Washington-directed monitoring of a prospective ceasefire.
Defense Assurances and Diplomatic Positions
Top American diplomat Steve Witkoff remarked that "lasting security guarantees and strong prosperity commitments are critical to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – referring to a key condition made by Ukraine.
He indicated the allies had "substantially agreed on" their work on establishing such guarantees "in order that the Ukrainian people know that when this conflict ends, it ends forever."
Jared Kushner, ex-President Donald Trump's special envoy, also took part in the talks.
At the same time, France's leader Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's allies had made "considerable progress" at the negotiations.
He added that "robust" security guarantees for Ukraine had been settled upon in the case of a prospective ceasefire.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a "huge development" had been made in Paris, but added that he would only consider efforts to be "adequate" if they led to the cessation of the war.
Earlier, he indicated a settlement was "largely prepared". Settling the remaining 10% would "decide the outcome of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".
Outstanding Matters
- Sovereign soil and security guarantees have been at the forefront of unresolved issues for diplomats.
- Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's forces must retreat from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will occupy it, dismissing any compromise over how to conclude the war.
- Kyiv has so far rejected surrendering any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could move its troops to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia follows suit.
Russia presently occupies approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The two regions form the area of Donbas.
The original US-led multi-point framework that was circulated to the media last year was viewed by Kyiv and its EU supporters as being disproportionately favorable in Russia's direction.
This sparked weeks of intensive discussions – with the involved parties trying to adjust the proposal.
Recently, Ukraine presented the US an revised 20-point plan – as well as separate documents describing possible security guarantees and arrangements for Ukraine's rebuilding, the President stated.
