🔗 Share this article The United Kingdom and France to Deploy Military Personnel to the Country in the event that a Peace Agreement is Finalized The British and French governments have inked a memorandum of understanding concerning the positioning of troops in Ukraine in the event a peace deal be struck with Russia, the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has declared. Subsequent to discussions with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he said that the allies would "create operational bases in various parts of Ukraine and build secure installations for military hardware and equipment" to deter any future incursion. The allied nations also put forward that the US would assume leadership in monitoring a halt in hostilities. Russia has on multiple occasions stated that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has so far not issued a statement on this recent declaration. Background and Continuing Hostilities Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin initiated a major offensive of Ukraine in early 2022, and Moscow presently controls roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory. "This is a vital part of our commitment to be alongside Ukraine for the duration," stated the British leader. Heads of state and high-ranking officials from the "Partner Group" took part in Tuesday's talks. Speaking at a shared media briefing, he further said: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could function on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's defense capabilities for the years ahead." The UK prime minister also stated that the UK would be involved in any American-headed verification of a possible ceasefire. Defense Assurances and Diplomatic Positions Lead US negotiator Steve Witkoff stated that "lasting defense assurances and strong economic promises are vital to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – alluding to a major requirement made by Kyiv. The negotiator noted the allies had "largely finished" their work on establishing such pledges "so that the Ukrainian people know that when this conflict ends, it ends for good." Donald Trump's son-in-law, ex-President Donald Trump's special envoy, also was involved in the talks. At the same time, President Macron Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's supporters had made "considerable advances" at the negotiations. He said that "strong" security guarantees for Ukraine had been settled upon in the case of a potential ceasefire. President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "huge step forward" had been made in the talks, but cautioned that he would only deem efforts to be "sufficient" if they led to the cessation of the war. Recently, the Ukrainian leader said a settlement was "90% ready". Finalizing the last 10% would "determine the future of peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe". Outstanding Matters Territory and security guarantees have been at the center of unresolved issues for the parties involved. The Russian President has consistently stated that Kyiv's military must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will occupy it, refusing any compromise over how to end the war. Zelensky has thus far excluded ceding any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could move its troops to an designated point – but only if Russia does the same. Russian forces currently occupies approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The two regions form the heartland of Donbas. The initial US-led comprehensive proposal that was circulated to the media last year was seen by Kyiv and its EU supporters as being disproportionately favorable in Moscow's direction. This triggered weeks of intensive discussions – with the involved parties trying to revise the draft. The previous month, Kyiv submitted the US an revised framework – as well as separate documents describing prospective security guarantees and arrangements for Ukraine's rebuilding, the President added.
The British and French governments have inked a memorandum of understanding concerning the positioning of troops in Ukraine in the event a peace deal be struck with Russia, the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has declared. Subsequent to discussions with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he said that the allies would "create operational bases in various parts of Ukraine and build secure installations for military hardware and equipment" to deter any future incursion. The allied nations also put forward that the US would assume leadership in monitoring a halt in hostilities. Russia has on multiple occasions stated that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has so far not issued a statement on this recent declaration. Background and Continuing Hostilities Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin initiated a major offensive of Ukraine in early 2022, and Moscow presently controls roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory. "This is a vital part of our commitment to be alongside Ukraine for the duration," stated the British leader. Heads of state and high-ranking officials from the "Partner Group" took part in Tuesday's talks. Speaking at a shared media briefing, he further said: "It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could function on Ukraine's territory, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's defense capabilities for the years ahead." The UK prime minister also stated that the UK would be involved in any American-headed verification of a possible ceasefire. Defense Assurances and Diplomatic Positions Lead US negotiator Steve Witkoff stated that "lasting defense assurances and strong economic promises are vital to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – alluding to a major requirement made by Kyiv. The negotiator noted the allies had "largely finished" their work on establishing such pledges "so that the Ukrainian people know that when this conflict ends, it ends for good." Donald Trump's son-in-law, ex-President Donald Trump's special envoy, also was involved in the talks. At the same time, President Macron Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's supporters had made "considerable advances" at the negotiations. He said that "strong" security guarantees for Ukraine had been settled upon in the case of a potential ceasefire. President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "huge step forward" had been made in the talks, but cautioned that he would only deem efforts to be "sufficient" if they led to the cessation of the war. Recently, the Ukrainian leader said a settlement was "90% ready". Finalizing the last 10% would "determine the future of peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe". Outstanding Matters Territory and security guarantees have been at the center of unresolved issues for the parties involved. The Russian President has consistently stated that Kyiv's military must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will occupy it, refusing any compromise over how to end the war. Zelensky has thus far excluded ceding any territory, but has proposed that Ukraine could move its troops to an designated point – but only if Russia does the same. Russian forces currently occupies approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the adjacent Luhansk region. The two regions form the heartland of Donbas. The initial US-led comprehensive proposal that was circulated to the media last year was seen by Kyiv and its EU supporters as being disproportionately favorable in Moscow's direction. This triggered weeks of intensive discussions – with the involved parties trying to revise the draft. The previous month, Kyiv submitted the US an revised framework – as well as separate documents describing prospective security guarantees and arrangements for Ukraine's rebuilding, the President added.