UK and France sign declaration of intent on deploying troops in Ukraine if peace deal is reached
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have signed a declaration of intent, alongside Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on deploying troops in Ukraine if a peace agreement is concluded.
Source: UK prime minister's office citing Starmer's remarks after the Coalition of the Willing meeting in Paris; European Pravda
Details: The document is a declaration of intent to deploy troops in Ukraine if a peace agreement is reached.
Quote from Starmer: "This is a vital part of our iron-cast commitment to stand with Ukraine for the long term."
More details: The "multinational force for Ukraine" would operate as a security force, underpinning security guarantees and Ukraine's ability to return to peace and stability, while supporting the rebuilding of Ukraine's own forces.
The signing paves the way for establishing a legal framework for the activities of French and UK forces on Ukrainian territory, securing Ukraine's airspace and maritime space and creating armed forces fit for the future.
Quote from Starmer: "We discussed these issues in detail today. And so I can say that, following a ceasefire, the UK and France will establish "military hubs" across Ukraine and build protected facilities for weapons and military equipment to support Ukraine's defensive needs."
Background:
- It was reported earlier that the Coalition of the Willing has prepared a draft declaration calling for the United States to commit to supporting the coalition's European forces if Ukraine comes under attack.
- A special coordination centre in the US-Ukraine-Coalition of the Willing format will be established on the basis of the operational headquarters of the Coalition of the Willing in Paris. The coordination centre will be responsible for security guarantees for Ukraine from Western allies.
- Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has said that each task linked to the process of providing assistance to Ukraine has a leading state, with Poland set to be the lead country on logistics.
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