UK and France Will Dispatch Forces to the Country in the event that a Peace Agreement is Reached
The British and French governments have formalized a memorandum of understanding concerning the positioning of armed personnel in the nation should a peace agreement be made with Moscow, the Prime Minister of Britain, Starmer, has stated.
Following discussions with Kyiv's partners in Paris, he indicated that the allies would "create operational bases throughout Ukraine and build fortified installations for arms and equipment" to discourage any subsequent invasion.
The allied nations also put forward that the US would assume leadership in monitoring a ceasefire.
Moscow has repeatedly cautioned that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has so far not commented on this recent development.
Context and Continuing War
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a major offensive of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Moscow at this time controls roughly 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.
"This represents an essential component of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the duration," stated Starmer.
Top officials and high-ranking officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" took part in the recent discussions.
He stated at a combined announcement, Starmer noted: "It creates the pathway for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could work on the ground in Ukraine, protecting Ukraine's skies and seas, and rebuilding Ukraine's military for the time to come."
The British leader went on to say that London would take part in any US-led verification of a potential truce.
Defense Assurances and Negotiation Stances
Senior US negotiator Steve Witkoff said that "durable safety pledges and robust prosperity commitments are vital to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – mentioning a key requirement made by Ukraine.
He indicated the partner nations had "largely finished" their work on establishing such pledges "so that the Ukrainian people know that when this war ends, it ends forever."
Jared Kushner, ex-President Donald Trump's advisor, also took part in the negotiations.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's allies had made "significant advances" at the meeting.
He noted that "strong" security guarantees for Kyiv had been settled upon in the case of a possible ceasefire.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "major development" had been made in the talks, but added that he would only deem efforts to be "adequate" if they culminated in the conclusion of the war.
Recently, the Ukrainian leader suggested a peace agreement was "largely prepared". Settling the outstanding 10% would "decide the future of the peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".
Unresolved Issues
- Territory and defense assurances have been at the forefront of ongoing disputes for negotiators.
- Putin has consistently stated that Ukraine's forces must retreat from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will occupy it, rejecting any middle ground over how to finish the war.
- The Ukrainian President has so far ruled out giving up any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could pull back its forces to an designated point – but only if Russia reciprocates.
Russian forces presently controls about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the bordering Luhansk region. The pair of oblasts form the area of Donbas.
The initial US-led 28-point proposal that was widely leaked to the media last year was viewed by Kyiv and its European allies as being disproportionately favorable in Moscow's favor.
This led to weeks of focused discussions – with the involved parties trying to amend the proposal.
Last month, Kyiv presented the US an updated 20-point plan – as well as distinct documents describing prospective security guarantees and provisions for Ukraine's reconstruction, he stated.
