Britain and France signal willingness to deploy troops to Ukraine after war ends

(Horizon Weekly) – Britain and France have indicated their readiness to deploy troops to Ukraine once active hostilities come to an end, following high-level talks held in Paris. The understanding was reached during discussions involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and was formalized in a special memorandum adopted at the conclusion of the meeting.

French President Emmanuel Macron described the outcome of the talks as a meaningful step forward, stressing that the arrangements under discussion are intended to prevent any future peace agreement from becoming a framework for Ukraine’s surrender. He emphasized that the guarantees being developed must ensure Ukraine’s long-term security and sovereignty.

According to AFP, Ukraine’s Western partners made progress in defining the core elements of postwar security guarantees during the Paris talks. These include the establishment of a United States-led monitoring mechanism along the line of contact, as well as plans for the eventual deployment of multinational European forces on Ukrainian territory. It was clarified that any European military presence would only begin after a full cessation of hostilities.

President Zelensky stated that the meeting clarified which countries are prepared to assume leading roles in ensuring security on land, in the air, and at sea, and which states would prioritize Ukraine’s reconstruction. He added that discussions also addressed how these forces would be coordinated and managed.

At this stage, however, only France and the United Kingdom have formally confirmed their willingness to deploy troops, with their commitments documented in writing. Officials in both Paris and London noted that special military coordination centers are expected to be established within Ukraine after the fighting ends, although details on their locations and specific responsibilities have not yet been disclosed.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Germany is prepared to contribute to peacekeeping efforts, but only from the territory of NATO member states bordering Ukraine, ruling out the deployment of German forces within Ukraine. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni adopted a firmer stance, explicitly ruling out sending Italian troops to Ukraine.

The United States, while playing a central role in the broader settlement process, has indicated that its immediate focus remains on diplomacy. White House special envoy Steve Witkoff said Washington views its role primarily as that of a mediator seeking to facilitate a negotiated peace. He noted that Ukraine and its partners have moved significantly closer to agreeing on security guarantees, while underscoring that the Paris talks were aimed at advancing a peace agreement rather than finalizing military arrangements.

Photo: ABC News