UK and France sign declaration of intent to send troops to Ukraine in event of peace deal
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The UK and France have signed a joint declaration pledging to deploy troops to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal, to guarantee the nation’s security.
The agreement states that a “multinational force for Ukraine” would be deployed to the eastern European country to deter further attacks from Russia and bolster security guarantees.
This would also allow the Ukrainian armed forces to rebuild strength, Sir Keir Starmer has announced.
It follows a meeting of the so-called Coalition of the Willing in Paris on Tuesday afternoon, led by French President Emmanuel Macron and the British prime minister.
Jared Kushner, the US president’s son-in-law, and the US special envoy, Steve Witkoff, also attended the talks, along with a number of other European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Sir Keir has previously stated that the UK might deploy troops to Ukraine following a peace deal, but this agreement now creates the legal framework for allowing British and French troops to operate there.
The declaration was formally unveiled at a news conference by Mr Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Sir Keir.
Addressing the media, Sir Keir said: “We’ve had a very constructive meeting.
“The purpose of the Coalition of the Willing is to help to deliver a peace that can last and to work with the US to guarantee Ukrainian security for the long term.
“This work is more advanced than ever.”
He then laid out the terms of the declaration.
The PM said the UK would participate in US-led “monitoring and verification of any ceasefire”, would provide arms to Ukraine in the long-term, and would seek binding commitments to support Ukraine in case of a future armed attack by Russia.
As well as ensuring that soldiers would be deployed on Ukrainian soil, the agreement also covers protection for Ukraine’s skies and sea, Sir Keir added.
The declaration also states that the two countries would establish “military hubs” in Ukraine, so that military equipment could be deployed for defensive needs.
Sir Keir added: “This is all about building the practical foundations on which peace would rest. But we can only get to a peace deal if Putin is ready to make compromises.
“We have to be frank – for all Russia’s words, Putin is not showing that he is ready for peace.”
He concluded that the UK and its allies will continue to turn up the pressure on Russia until “they come to the table in good faith”.
Speaking at the news conference, Mr Macron said the summit had seen European nations discuss “strong security guarantees” with the US representatives, while Mr Zelenskyy called the joint declaration “very concrete”.
The Ukrainian president added: “This illustrates the willingness of the coalition and the European countries to work for peace.
“We want to be ready so that when diplomacy reaches peace, we can deploy the forces of the Coalition of the Willing.”
Ukraine already has enough details and knows which countries will get involved in the agreement, including what each of them will contribute separately, Mr Zelenskyy said.
But he admitted that some issues “remain open” with the revised 20-point peace plan, with the biggest problem being “the issue of territory”.
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff speaks as US businessman Jared Kushner looks on during a press conference in Paris. Pic: Reuters
Speaking on behalf of the US, Mr Witkoff said he would meet with the Ukrainian delegation again on Tuesday evening, but that they are “largely finished with security protocols”.
He added: “We are here to mediate and help in the peace process, and we’re prepared to do anything necessary to get to that place. President Trump strongly, fervently believes that this killing has to stop, that the carnage has to stop.”
Donald Trump’s son-in law, Mr Kushner, later said the agreement is “a very, very big milestone”, in answer to a question from a journalist.
