Paris, 07 January (H.S.): In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, the United Kingdom and France have formally agreed to deploy troops to Ukraine if a peace deal is reached with Russia, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced on Tuesday following high-level talks in Paris.

The declaration of intent, signed by Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, signals a robust commitment by Western allies to secure Ukraine’s long-term safety and deter future Russian aggression.

The agreement, reached during a gathering of the “Coalition of the Willing” comprising over 30 nations, stipulates that British and French forces will establish “military hubs” across Ukraine to oversee the storage and deployment of military equipment, assist in the regeneration of Ukraine’s armed forces, and provide protection for its skies and seas.

These hubs are intended to serve as a deterrent against any future invasion and to ensure Ukraine can rebuild its defenses with international support.

Security Guarantees and US Leadership

Western leaders have largely agreed on robust security guarantees for Ukraine, with the United States expected to take the lead in monitoring and verifying any ceasefire. US negotiator Steve Witkoff emphasized that “durable security guarantees and robust prosperity commitments are essential to a lasting peace,” underscoring the importance of binding commitments from all parties involved.

Ukrainian officials have stressed that these measures are designed to ensure the war “ends forever” and to provide Kyiv with real backstops against future Russian attacks.Despite these advances, the most contentious issues remain unresolved. The question of territorial boundaries—particularly regarding Russian-occupied areas in the Donbas—continues to divide negotiators.

President Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine will not cede any territory, but has expressed willingness to withdraw troops from certain areas if Russia reciprocates. Moscow, however, has demanded full control of the Donbas and has dismissed any prospect of NATO or Western troops on Ukrainian soil, warning that such a deployment would be a “legitimate target”.

A Milestone Amid Uncertainty

The Paris talks mark a milestone in the international effort to end the war, with Zelensky describing the agreement as a “huge step forward.” However, he cautioned that real progress depends on Russian cooperation, which has so far been elusive.

President Putin has maintained his position that any peace deal must reflect Russia’s territorial gains, and has shown no sign of softening his stance.With the prospect of a ceasefire and peace deal now within reach, the international community faces the challenge of bridging the remaining gaps.

The deployment of multinational forces, robust security guarantees, and US leadership in monitoring the truce are seen as critical steps toward a lasting resolution, but the final outcome will ultimately hinge on the willingness of all parties to compromise.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar