The United Kingdom and France Plan to Send Forces to Ukraine in the event that a Peace Agreement is Reached
The British and French governments have inked a statement of purpose concerning the deployment of armed personnel in the nation in the event a peace deal be concluded with Russia, the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has announced.
Subsequent to negotiations with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he noted that the two nations would "establish operational bases in various parts of Ukraine and construct secure structures for weapons and equipment" to prevent any subsequent incursion.
The partner countries also suggested that the US would assume leadership in monitoring a halt in hostilities.
Moscow has consistently warned that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has so far not commented on this new announcement.
Background and Ongoing Conflict
Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, and Moscow at this time occupies approximately 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.
"This is a vital part of our vow to support Ukraine for the long-term," commented the UK Prime Minister.
Heads of state and top officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" participated in the recent discussions.
Addressing reporters at a combined announcement, the Prime Minister further said: "It paves the way for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could function on Ukraine's territory, defending Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's defense capabilities for the time to come."
The British leader also stated that the UK would participate in any American-headed verification of a possible cessation of hostilities.
Security Guarantees and Negotiation Stances
Senior Washington representative Steve Witkoff said that "lasting security guarantees and strong prosperity commitments are vital to a lasting peace" in Ukraine – referring to a key condition made by the Ukrainian government.
The negotiator said the partner nations had "largely finished" their work on establishing such assurances "in order that the Ukrainian people know that when this war ends, it ends permanently."
The former US envoy, ex-President Donald Trump's special envoy, also participated in the talks.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's allies had made "considerable headway" at the negotiations.
He noted that "comprehensive" safety pledges for the Ukrainian government had been agreed in the case of a prospective truce.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "significant step forward" had been made in the negotiations, but cautioned that he would only view efforts to be "enough" if they culminated in the conclusion of the conflict.
Earlier, he suggested a settlement was "90% ready". Agreeing on the remaining 10% would "decide the outcome of peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe".
Remaining Challenges
- Territory and security guarantees have been at the forefront of key disagreements for negotiators.
- The Russian President has often said that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, rejecting any middle ground over how to conclude the war.
- Zelensky has to date excluded ceding any land, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could withdraw its troops to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia reciprocates.
Moscow presently controls approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The two regions form the area of the Donbas.
The original US-led multi-point peace plan that was extensively reported to the media last year was perceived by Kyiv and its European allies as being strongly biased in Moscow's direction.
This triggered a period of focused negotiations – with the involved parties trying to amend the document.
The previous month, Ukraine sent the US an new proposal – as well as distinct documents outlining potential defense assurances and plans for Ukraine's reconstruction, he stated.
