UK and France to Deploy Troops to Ukraine in the event that a Ceasefire Accord is Finalized
The UK and France have signed a declaration of intent concerning the stationing of military forces in the nation in the event a peace agreement be struck with Moscow, the Prime Minister of Britain, Starmer, has stated.
Following talks with Kyiv's partners in Paris, he noted that the allies would "establish operational bases across Ukraine and construct protected facilities for military hardware and defense matériel" to discourage any future incursion.
The partner countries also put forward that the United States would assume leadership in monitoring a truce.
Moscow has on multiple occasions stated that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has not yet issued a statement on this new development.
Context and Ongoing War
The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Russian forces currently occupies about 20% of the country's land.
"This represents an essential component of our pledge to be alongside Ukraine for the foreseeable future," remarked the British leader.
National leaders and top officials from the "Allied Coalition" participated in the Paris negotiations.
Speaking at a joint press conference, Starmer noted: "It establishes the framework for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could work on the ground in Ukraine, securing Ukraine's airspace and waters, and restoring Ukraine's military for the future."
The UK prime minister also stated that London would be involved in any Washington-directed monitoring of a prospective cessation of hostilities.
Protection Pledges and Negotiation Stances
Senior Washington representative Steve Witkoff said that "long-term security guarantees and strong economic promises are vital to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – mentioning a central condition made by the Ukrainian government.
He noted the allies had "substantially agreed on" their work on establishing such guarantees "so that the citizens of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends for good."
The former US envoy, former American President Donald Trump's advisor, also was involved in the discussions.
At the same time, French President Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's partners had made "considerable progress" at the talks.
He added that "robust" safety pledges for the Ukrainian government had been settled upon in the event of a potential ceasefire.
Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "major step forward" had been made in Paris, but added that he would only deem efforts to be "sufficient" if they resulted in the conclusion of the conflict.
Earlier, Zelensky indicated a peace agreement was "90% ready". Finalizing the last 10% would "decide the future of the agreement, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".
Unresolved Issues
- Land and defense assurances have been at the center of ongoing disputes for negotiators.
- Moscow has often said that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will take control, refusing any middle ground over how to finish the war.
- Zelensky has to date excluded surrendering any territory, 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 about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts form the heartland of the Donbas.
The original US-led multi-point proposal that was extensively reported to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its European allies as being heavily skewed in Moscow's favor.
This led to weeks of focused diplomacy – with all sides trying to adjust the document.
The previous month, Kyiv submitted the US an updated 20-point plan – as well as additional documents describing possible defense assurances and arrangements for Ukraine's reconstruction, he stated.