Britain and France Will Dispatch Troops to the Country if a Peace Agreement is Agreed
The London and Paris have signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the deployment of armed personnel in the nation in the event a ceasefire be concluded with Russia, the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has stated.
After negotiations with Kyiv's partners in Paris, he indicated that the two nations would "establish defense centers across Ukraine and build protected facilities for military hardware and defense matƩriel" to prevent any subsequent incursion.
The coalition members also put forward that the US would play the primary role in overseeing a ceasefire.
The Kremlin has on multiple occasions warned that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "legitimate target", but has so far not issued a statement on this new declaration.
Background and Ongoing Conflict
The Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin initiated a major offensive of Ukraine in the start of last year, and Russia at this time occupies about 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.
"This represents an essential component of our commitment to support Ukraine for the long-term," commented Starmer.
Top officials and senior officials from the "Coalition of the Willing" were involved in Tuesday's talks.
Speaking at a joint press conference, the Prime Minister noted: "It establishes the framework for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could work on Ukraine's territory, defending Ukraine's airspace and waters, and regenerating Ukraine's defense capabilities for the future."
The British leader also stated that London would take part in any American-headed confirmation of a possible cessation of hostilities.
Protection Pledges and Negotiation Stances
Senior American diplomat Steve Witkoff stated that "durable safety pledges and strong prosperity commitments are essential to a lasting peace" in Ukraine ā referring to a major requirement made by Ukraine.
Witkoff said the coalition had "mostly completed" their work on agreeing such pledges "to ensure the Ukrainian people know that when this conflict ends, it ends for good."
Donald Trump's son-in-law, former American President Donald Trump's special envoy, also took part in the discussions.
At the same time, President Macron Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine's supporters had made "significant progress" at the talks.
He said that "comprehensive" safety pledges for Kyiv had been agreed in the case of a possible ceasefire.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "huge step forward" had been made in the negotiations, but added that he would only view efforts to be "enough" if they culminated in the end of the fighting.
Recently, Zelensky indicated a settlement was "90% ready". Agreeing on the outstanding 10% would "determine the future of the agreement, the fate of Ukraine and Europe".
Unresolved Issues
- Sovereign soil and defense assurances have been at the forefront of key disagreements for the parties involved.
- The Russian President has often said that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will take control, dismissing any concession over how to finish the war.
- The Ukrainian President has so far ruled out giving up any land, but has floated the idea that Ukraine could pull back its troops to an designated point ā but only if Russia follows suit.
Moscow currently holds about 75% of the Donetsk oblast and around 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The pair of oblasts form the heartland of the Donbas.
The initial US-led comprehensive peace plan that was extensively reported to the media last year was perceived by Ukraine and its European allies as being disproportionately favorable in Russia's favor.
This sparked weeks of intensive diplomacy ā with Ukraine, the US and European leaders trying to adjust the draft.
Recently, Ukraine submitted the US an new 20-point plan ā as well as separate documents outlining prospective defense assurances and provisions for Ukraine's reconstruction, Zelensky said.
