In a significant move to support Ukraine’s defense efforts, the UK and France have declared their readiness to deploy troops to Ukrainian soil, contingent on a peace deal. This bold commitment, which has been in the works for months, was announced following a summit held in Paris, where key European leaders gathered to discuss the next steps in the ongoing conflict. The summit included not only French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer but also Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, all of whom signed a trilateral declaration of intent.
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A Major Commitment to Ukraine’s Security
According to The Guardian, the proposed deployment would seeBritish and French forces stationed at military hubs across the country following a ceasefire. However, these troops would not directly engage Russian forces but instead serve as a form of reassurance to Ukraine. Macron emphasized that the forces would be “stationed a long way behind the contact line,” making their role more focused on post-conflict peacekeeping and support for Ukraine’s continued defense.
Keir Starmer also expressed his support, stating, “Following a ceasefire, the UK and France will establish military hubs across Ukraine.” While the details regarding the size and scope of the deployment remain unclear, the declaration signals a stronger military presence in Ukraine, which could have lasting implications for Europe’s security landscape.
The US Stands Strong Behind Ukraine
During the summit, US envoy Steve Witkoff, along with Jared Kushner, expressed strong backing for the peace initiative, reiterating that the US remains committed to the Ukrainian state’s security. Witkoff assured that the security guarantees from the US were “as strong as anyone has ever seen”.
“The president does not back down from his commitments, he is strong for the country of Ukraine and for a peace deal. We will be there for the Ukrainians in helping them to get to that final peace,” he added.
A Divided European Response
The discussions in Paris, however, revealed differing views among European nations regarding their involvement in Ukraine. While the UK and France are committed to deploying forces, other European nations, such as Italy and Poland, have voiced opposition to sending troops. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also indicated that while Germany might support the mission, any contribution would be limited to forces stationed in neighboring countries rather than within Ukraine itself.
The reluctance of some European nations to contribute troops reflects the complexities of the geopolitical situation and the uncertain nature of the peace process. Ukrainian President Zelensky, in his remarks, emphasized the importance of these international commitments. He warned that without full participation from European allies, the very foundation of the “coalition of the willing” could be at risk.
