Britain and France Plan to Send Military Personnel to Ukraine should a Ceasefire Accord is Finalized

The British and French governments have inked a memorandum of understanding concerning the stationing of armed personnel in the nation in the event a ceasefire be made with Russia, the Prime Minister of Britain, Starmer, has stated.

Subsequent to negotiations with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he indicated that the allies would "establish defense centers in various parts of Ukraine and build secure installations for weapons and defense matériel" to discourage any subsequent incursion.

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

The Kremlin has on multiple occasions stated that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has not yet commented on this recent announcement.

Background and Ongoing Hostilities

Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin initiated a major offensive of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces presently controls roughly 20% of the country's land.

"This is a vital part of our pledge to be alongside Ukraine for the duration," stated the British leader.

National leaders and senior officials from the "Allied Coalition" were involved in the recent discussions.

He stated at a shared media briefing, Starmer added: "It establishes the framework for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could work on the ground in Ukraine, protecting Ukraine's airspace and waters, and rebuilding Ukraine's military for the time to come."

The British leader added that London would take part in any US-led monitoring of a prospective cessation of hostilities.

Protection Pledges and Negotiation Stances

Lead American diplomat Steve Witkoff remarked that "long-term safety pledges and robust economic promises are critical to a permanent resolution" in Ukraine – referring to a key condition made by Kyiv.

The negotiator indicated the coalition had "mostly completed" their work on agreeing such pledges "so that the people of Ukraine know that when this hostilities ends, it ends forever."

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

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron declared that Ukraine's supporters had made "significant progress" at the meeting.

He added that "strong" safety pledges for Ukraine had been agreed in the case of a prospective truce.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a "huge advance" had been made in the talks, but added that he would only consider efforts to be "adequate" if they resulted in the cessation of the conflict.

Last week, the Ukrainian leader indicated a settlement was "largely prepared". Finalizing the remaining 10% would "determine the outcome of the agreement, the future of Ukraine and Europe".

Outstanding Matters

• Land and defense assurances have been at the center of ongoing disputes for diplomats.
• Putin has often said that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas or Russia will seize it, rejecting any compromise over how to conclude the war.
• Kyiv has thus far excluded surrendering any land, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could withdraw its forces to an designated point – but only if Russia reciprocates.

Russian forces currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk region. The two regions form the area of Donbas.

The initial US-led multi-point framework that was widely leaked to the media last year was perceived by Ukraine and its European allies as being strongly biased in Russia's direction.

This sparked a period of focused diplomacy – with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to amend the proposal.

Last month, Kyiv submitted the US an new proposal – as well as separate documents describing possible security guarantees and plans for Ukraine's reconstruction, he said.