UK and France Will Dispatch Forces to the Country in the event that a Peace Agreement is Finalized

The British and French governments have formalized a statement of purpose concerning the stationing of troops in Ukraine should a peace agreement be made with Moscow, the British leader, Keir Starmer, has announced.

After talks with Kyiv's partners in the French capital, he indicated that the two nations would "establish defense centers across Ukraine and build protected structures for military hardware and equipment" to discourage any future incursion.

The partner countries also proposed that the America would play the primary role in verifying a truce.

Moscow has consistently cautioned that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has not yet commented on this new declaration.

The Situation and Ongoing Hostilities

The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Russia at this time holds roughly 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.

"This is a vital part of our vow to support Ukraine for the duration," remarked Starmer.

Heads of state and high-ranking officials from the "Partner Group" were involved in the Paris negotiations.

Speaking at a combined announcement, the Prime Minister noted: "It paves the way for the juridical structure under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on the ground in Ukraine, protecting Ukraine's airspace and waters, and restoring Ukraine's defense capabilities for the future."

The PM also stated that Britain would be involved in any American-headed monitoring of a possible cessation of hostilities.

Protection Pledges and Negotiation Stances

Top US negotiator Steve Witkoff stated that "long-term defense assurances and substantial economic promises are vital to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – referring to a key demand made by Kyiv.

He noted the coalition had "largely finished" their work on establishing such assurances "so that the people of Ukraine know that when this war ends, it ends for good."

Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's representative, also took part in the discussions.

Meanwhile, President Macron Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's allies had made "significant progress" at the meeting.

He noted that "comprehensive" safety pledges for the Ukrainian government had been reached in the event of a potential truce.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "major advance" had been made in the negotiations, but cautioned that he would only deem efforts to be "sufficient" if they resulted in the conclusion of the war.

Earlier, Zelensky suggested a settlement was "mostly finalized". Settling the outstanding 10% would "determine the outcome of the peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Sovereign soil and security guarantees have been at the heart of ongoing disputes for negotiators.
• Putin has often said that Ukrainian troops must pull back from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will take control, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war.
• Zelensky has to date rejected giving up any territory, but has suggested that Ukraine could move its troops to an designated point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Russian forces currently controls approximately 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the area of the Donbas.

The original US-led multi-point framework that was widely leaked to the media last year was seen by Kyiv and its European allies as being disproportionately favorable in Moscow's favor.

This sparked weeks of high-level discussions – with all sides trying to revise the document.

Last month, Kyiv submitted the US an new proposal – as well as distinct documents describing potential defense assurances and plans for Ukraine's reconstruction, Zelensky added.