The UK and France have signed a declaration of intent to deploy troops in Ukraine should a peace agreement be reached with Russia, according to UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Speaking after discussions with Ukraine's allies in Paris, Starmer stated that the UK and France would "establish military hubs across Ukraine and build protected facilities for weapons and military equipment" with the aim of deterring future Russian aggression.

The proposal also suggests that the United States would take a leading role in monitoring any ceasefire agreement. These developments follow a full-scale invasion of Ukraine launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin in February 2022, with Moscow currently controlling approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.

Russia has previously warned that the presence of foreign troops in Ukraine would constitute a "legitimate target," although there has been no immediate comment from Moscow regarding this latest announcement. The declaration was signed during a meeting in Paris that included heads of state and top officials from the "Coalition of the Willing."

The deployment of troops, according to Starmer, is intended as a deterrent against future incursions and a means of providing ongoing support to Ukraine's security. The establishment of military hubs and protected facilities aims to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities and ensure the country's long-term stability.

While details of the potential peace deal remain undisclosed, Ukrainian President Zelensky previously indicated that a peace agreement was "90% ready" in a New Year address, though he also acknowledged remaining "thorny" issues that could potentially derail negotiations. The proposed deployment of UK and French troops, contingent on a peace agreement, represents a significant commitment to Ukraine's future security and territorial integrity. The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected as negotiations continue and the international community responds to these proposals.