UK and France Agree to Deploy Forces to Ukraine After Peace Deal

PARIS: The United Kingdom and France have signed a declaration of intent to deploy forces to Ukraine in the event of a peace agreement, Downing Street confirmed on Tuesday.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed the agreement in Paris alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron. The announcement followed talks with allies from more than 30 countries supporting Ukraine.

Addressing a news conference, Starmer said that following a ceasefire, the UK and France would establish military hubs across Ukraine and build protected facilities to store weapons and military equipment aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.

France Warns US Against Greenland Tariff Escalation

A joint statement issued by the “coalition of the willing” after the meeting said that willing nations had committed to forming a multinational force for Ukraine. The force would support deterrence efforts and help rebuild Ukraine’s armed forces in the event of a ceasefire.

The statement added that the initiative would be European-led, with participation from willing non-European countries and proposed support from the United States. US special envoy Steve Witkoff told the news conference that President Donald Trump “strongly stands” behind the proposed security arrangements.

While diplomats described the Paris meeting as a step forward, observers cautioned that key details of the plan are yet to emerge.