UK and France Back Plan to Deploy Troops in Ukraine if Peace Deal is Reached
The UK and France have agreed on plans to deploy troops to Ukraine if a ceasefire or peace deal is secured with Russia, marking a major step in shaping how Ukraine would be protected after the fighting stops.
After talks with Ukraine’s allies in Paris, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed that London and Paris had signed a declaration of intent that would allow British, French and partner forces to operate on Ukrainian soil. The idea is to deter any future Russian attack and help Ukraine rebuild its military strength.
Speaking after the meeting, Sir Keir said: “We signed a declaration of intent on the deployment of forces to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal.” He added: “This is a vital part of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the long-term.”
Under the plans, the UK and France would help set up “military hubs” across Ukraine and protect its skies and seas. Sir Keir said the UK would also take part in US-led monitoring and verification of any ceasefire, while continuing long-term military support for Kyiv.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the talks had delivered “robust” security guarantees and confirmed that France could contribute “several thousand” troops. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the agreement, calling it “a huge step forward” and later describing the declaration as “very concrete”.
The Paris meeting brought together leaders from the so-called Coalition of the Willing, a group of around 35 countries backing Ukraine. It was also attended by senior US figures, including special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, underlining closer coordination between Europe and Washington.
Witkoff said “durable security guarantees and robust prosperity commitments are essential to a lasting peace”, adding that the allies were “largely finished” with security protocols. Kushner described the agreement as “a very, very big milestone”, saying Ukrainians needed to know there were “real backstops” to stop the war from restarting.
The United States has backed the idea of leading a truce monitoring mechanism, likely using drones, sensors and satellites rather than US troops on the ground. European forces would provide the physical presence inside Ukraine if a ceasefire is agreed.
Despite the progress, major issues remain unresolved. Territory is still the biggest sticking point, with Russia occupying about 20% of Ukraine, including large parts of the eastern Donbas region. Zelenskyy said talks would only be “enough” if they actually brought the war to an end, while acknowledging that compromises would be hard.
Russia has repeatedly warned that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be a “legitimate target” and has yet to comment on the Paris announcements. Moscow has also shown no sign it is ready to accept a settlement that includes European forces on Ukrainian soil.
Sir Keir struck a cautious note, saying the meeting had made “excellent progress” but that “the hardest yards are still ahead”. For now, the declaration sets out the framework for what could follow a peace deal, even as fighting continues and diplomacy pushes on.
