UK and France Pledge Post-Ceasefire Troops for Ukraine

Britain and France have made a significant new commitment, declaring their readiness to deploy troops to Ukraine. However, this isn't an immediate move to the front lines; it's a pledge for the aftermath of a peace deal, a prospect that still faces considerable hurdles. The announcement emerged from a high-level summit in Paris, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. Over two dozen allied leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, gathered to discuss future support. Following hours of talks, the three leaders signed a joint declaration, outlining plans for French and British forces to establish military hubs across Ukraine once a ceasefire is in place. Starmer clarified that these ground forces would aim to provide reassurance and would be stationed "a long way behind the contact line," rather than engaging directly with Russian forces. The exact size or scope of this potential deployment remains undefined. The United States was also represented in Paris by envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. They conveyed President Trump's strong backing for the security protocols, with Witkoff asserting the guarantees were "as strong as anyone has ever seen," designed to deter and defend against future attacks. Yet, the timing of these assurances raised eyebrows. Trump's focus appears to be shifting from Ukraine to issues like Venezuela, and his threats regarding Greenland have caused friction within the US-Europe relationship, prompting questions about the reliability of American security commitments. Despite this significant declaration, the path to peace remains fraught with challenges. Russia is expected to vehemently oppose any foreign troops on Ukrainian soil, and Moscow has shown little inclination for a swift resolution. Russian officials have repeatedly dismissed the idea of a temporary ceasefire, insisting on a comprehensive settlement addressing what they term the "root causes" of the conflict. Meanwhile, separate US-Ukrainian talks aimed at a bilateral peace agreement are stalled, with the issue of Ukraine potentially ceding territory remaining a major sticking point, as acknowledged by both Zelenskyy and Witkoff. Even among Ukraine's allies, unanimity on troop deployment is lacking. Italy and Poland have stated they will not contribute forces, while Germany indicated its troops, if deployed, would remain in neighbouring countries, not within Ukraine itself. This highlights a broader concern for President Zelenskyy, who recently voiced fears that "not everyone is ready" to commit forces. He stressed that British and French pledges were crucial for any security guarantees to hold meaning, suggesting the very existence of the "coalition of the willing" hinges on such concrete commitments. As Prime Minister Starmer noted, while peace feels closer than ever, the "hardest yards are still ahead." The bold commitment from the UK and France offers a vision for post-conflict security, but it is contingent on a ceasefire and a peace deal that Russia currently shows no sign of accepting. For now, the prospect of such a deployment remains a distant, albeit significant, aspiration. --- Managing your business finances? TaxAce provides smart online accountancy services for UK businesses with flexible monthly plans. Image and reporting: https://www.theguardian.com | Read original article