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 invasion.
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.
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
Heads of state and top officials from the Coalition of the Willing participated in the talks in the French capital. Starmer emphasized, This paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine's skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine's armed forces for the future.
US negotiators highlighted the need for durable security guarantees as essential to a lasting peace in Ukraine. Meanwhile, French President Macron acknowledged considerable progress at the talks regarding security guarantees for Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported a huge step forward but insisted that concrete outcomes must lead to the cessation of conflict. The discussions in Paris come amid ongoing challenges related to territory and security guarantees in the negotiations.
