The United Kingdom and France have signed a declaration of intent to deploy troops inside Ukraine should a peace deal be reached with Russia, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced.
Following a summit of Ukraine’s allies in Paris, Starmer stated that the two nations would “establish military hubs across Ukraine” to deter any future Russian invasion.
French President Emmanuel Macron later added that such a mission could involve thousands of personnel.
The agreement forms part of a broader Western proposal to provide Ukraine with robust, long-term security guarantees, which would see the United States take the lead in monitoring any future ceasefire.
However, the critical and unresolved issue of territorial concessions—specifically what land Ukraine would retain—remains a major obstacle to any deal.
The announcement drew an immediate warning from Moscow, which has repeatedly stated that any foreign troops on Ukrainian soil would be considered a “legitimate target.”
By James Kisoo
