UK and France Will Dispatch Troops to the Country in the event that a Peace Deal is Reached

The British and French governments have inked a statement of purpose concerning the deployment of military forces in the nation in the event a peace agreement be made with Russia, the British leader, Sir Keir Starmer, has announced.

After negotiations with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he noted that the two nations would "establish military hubs throughout Ukraine and construct fortified structures for arms and equipment" to prevent any future invasion.

The coalition members also suggested that the United States would take the lead in monitoring a truce.

The Kremlin has consistently stated that any non-Ukrainian military in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has so far not responded on this latest development.

The Situation and Ongoing War

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Russian forces currently controls roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory.

"This represents an essential component of our pledge to stand with Ukraine for the foreseeable future," remarked the UK Prime Minister.

Heads of state and high-ranking officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" took part in Tuesday's talks.

He stated at a joint press conference, he noted: "It paves the way for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could work on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's airspace and waters, and restoring Ukraine's armed forces for the future."

The British leader added that the UK would take part in any US-led monitoring of a prospective ceasefire.

Security Guarantees and Diplomatic Positions

Lead Washington representative Steve Witkoff said that "durable security guarantees and substantial reconstruction vows are vital to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – referring to a central condition made by Kyiv.

Witkoff indicated the partner nations had "largely finished" their work on establishing such guarantees "to ensure the Ukrainian people know that when this war ends, it ends forever."

Jared Kushner, former American President Donald Trump's representative, also was involved in the negotiations.

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's supporters had made "significant headway" at the negotiations.

He said that "strong" security guarantees for the Ukrainian government had been reached in the instance of a prospective truce.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "major advance" had been made in the negotiations, but added that he would only view efforts to be "enough" if they led to the end of the fighting.

Earlier, the Ukrainian leader said a peace agreement was "90% ready". Settling the remaining 10% would "decide the future of the peace, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".

Unresolved Issues

• Land and security guarantees have been at the center of unresolved issues for negotiators.
• The Russian President has often said that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the entirety of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will take control, dismissing any compromise over how to conclude the war.
• The Ukrainian President has thus far ruled out ceding any land, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could withdraw its forces to an mutually accepted point – but only if Russia does the same.

Moscow presently holds about 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk region. The areas form the heartland of the Donbas.

The earlier US-led comprehensive peace plan that was circulated to the media last year was perceived by Ukraine and its partners in Europe as being disproportionately favorable in Russia's direction.

This sparked weeks of high-level diplomacy – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to adjust the draft.

Recently, The Ukrainian government presented the US an updated framework – as well as additional documents outlining prospective defense assurances and arrangements for Ukraine's reconstruction, he added.