The UK and France have formalized a declaration of intent concerning the stationing of armed personnel in Ukraine should a ceasefire be made with Russia, the Prime Minister of Britain, Sir Keir Starmer, has announced.
Subsequent to talks with Ukraine's allies in the French capital, he noted that the two nations would "create operational bases throughout Ukraine and construct secure structures for military hardware and military equipment" to deter any future incursion.
The coalition members also suggested that the US would play the primary role in overseeing a halt in hostilities.
Russia has on multiple occasions cautioned that any external forces in Ukraine would be considered a "acceptable aim", but has as yet not responded on this latest development.
Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces at this time controls approximately 20% of Ukraine's sovereign soil.
"This represents an essential component of our vow to support Ukraine for the long-term," stated the UK Prime Minister.
Heads of state and high-ranking officials from the "Partner Group" took part in the recent discussions.
Addressing reporters at a joint press conference, Starmer further said: "It paves the way for the operational parameters under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, defending Ukraine's airspace and waters, and restoring Ukraine's defense capabilities for the years ahead."
The PM went on to say that the UK would take part in any US-led confirmation of a potential cessation of hostilities.
Top US negotiator Steve Witkoff stated that "long-term defense assurances and robust prosperity commitments are critical to a enduring ceasefire" in Ukraine – alluding to a key requirement made by the Ukrainian government.
He said the partner nations had "largely finished" their work on finalizing such pledges "to ensure the citizens of Ukraine know that when this conflict ends, it ends for good."
The former US envoy, former American President Donald Trump's representative, also was involved in the discussions.
Meanwhile, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine's partners had made "considerable progress" at the meeting.
He said that "comprehensive" safety pledges for the Ukrainian government had been reached in the event of a possible ceasefire.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that a "significant step forward" had been made in the talks, but qualified that he would only view efforts to be "adequate" if they led to the end of the war.
Recently, he said a settlement was "90% ready". Finalizing the last 10% would "decide the outcome of the agreement, the destiny of Ukraine and Europe".
Russia presently holds approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions form the area of the Donbas.
The initial US-led multi-point framework that was circulated to the media last year was seen by Kyiv and its European allies as being disproportionately favorable in Russia's favor.
This led to weeks of intensive diplomacy – with all sides trying to revise the document.
Last month, The Ukrainian government presented the US an revised 20-point plan – as well as separate documents outlining potential security guarantees and arrangements for Ukraine's rebuilding, Zelensky said.
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