The UK and France have signed a declaration of intent on deploying troops in Ukraine if a peace deal is made with Russia, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said.
After talks with Ukraine's allies in Paris, he stated that the UK and France would 'establish military hubs across Ukraine and build protected facilities for weapons and military equipment' to deter future invasions.
The agreement also proposed that the US would take the lead in monitoring a ceasefire.
Russia has repeatedly warned that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be a 'legitimate target,' but has not yet commented on the announcement.
Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022, Moscow has since controlled about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
During the press conference, Starmer articulated that this agreement signifies a commitment to support Ukraine over the long-term.
Top US negotiator Steve Witkoff emphasized that 'durable security guarantees and robust prosperity commitments are essential to a lasting peace' in Ukraine, aligning with a request made by Kyiv.
French President Emmanuel Macron noted that Ukraine’s allies made 'considerable progress' in the talks, agreeing on 'robust' security guarantees if a ceasefire is instituted.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky characterized the discussions in Paris as a ‘huge step forward’ but stressed that the efforts would only be adequate if they conclude the conflict.
Discussions among negotiators still revolve around unresolved issues of territory and security guarantees, with both sides navigating complex demands in hopes of achieving a sustainable resolution to the ongoing war.
