Britain and France to Deploy Forces to Ukraine if a Ceasefire Accord is Agreed

The UK and France have signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the deployment of military forces in the nation in the event a ceasefire be concluded with Russia, the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has stated.

Following talks with Kyiv's partners in the French capital, he indicated that the two nations would "set up military hubs across Ukraine and erect protected facilities for arms and defense matériel" to discourage any future invasion.

The allied nations also proposed that the United States would play the primary role in monitoring a ceasefire.

Moscow has on multiple occasions warned that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has as yet not commented on this new declaration.

The Situation and Ongoing War

Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a comprehensive attack of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russia presently holds approximately 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

"This is a vital part of our vow to support Ukraine for the duration," commented the British leader.

Top officials and top officials from the "Allied Coalition" took part in the Paris negotiations.

Speaking at a shared media briefing, the Prime Minister added: "It establishes the framework for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on the ground in Ukraine, protecting Ukraine's airspace and waters, and restoring Ukraine's military for the years ahead."

The UK prime minister added that the UK would take part in any Washington-directed confirmation of a possible cessation of hostilities.

Security Guarantees and Negotiation Stances

Top American diplomat Steve Witkoff stated that "lasting security guarantees and substantial economic promises are critical to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – alluding to a central demand made by Ukraine.

The negotiator noted the allies had "mostly completed" their work on finalizing such pledges "in order that the citizens of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends forever."

Donald Trump's son-in-law, ex-President Donald Trump's advisor, also was involved in the discussions.

At the same time, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's allies had made "major progress" at the meeting.

He said that "comprehensive" defense assurances for Ukraine had been settled upon in the case of a potential ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "significant advance" had been made in the negotiations, but qualified that he would only consider efforts to be "adequate" if they resulted in the cessation of the fighting.

Earlier, Zelensky said a settlement was "mostly finalized". Agreeing on the outstanding 10% would "decide the outcome of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Territory and security guarantees have been at the forefront of ongoing disputes for diplomats.
• The Russian President has consistently stated that Ukraine's forces must pull back from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will occupy it, rejecting any concession over how to finish the war.
• Zelensky has thus far rejected giving up any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could withdraw its forces to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Russian forces currently controls approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the bordering Luhansk. 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 seen by Ukraine and its EU supporters as being strongly biased in Moscow's favor.

This triggered weeks of high-level discussions – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to amend the proposal.

Last month, The Ukrainian government presented the US an updated framework – as well as distinct documents outlining possible defense assurances and provisions for Ukraine's reconstruction, Zelensky added.