UK and France would send troops to Ukraine in event of peace deal, Starmer says after Paris talks

 

UK and France agree to deploy forces to Ukraine if peace deal reached 

 

 

The UK and France have signed a declaration of intent to "deploy forces" to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal, Downing Street says.

Keir Starmer signed the agreement alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Tuesday evening.

Speaking after talks with Kyiv's allies from more than 30 nations, he told a news conference: "Following a ceasefire, the UK and France will establish military hubs across Ukraine and build protected facilities for weapons of military equipment to support Ukraine's defensive needs."

A statement from "the coalition of the willing", issued by the Elysee after the meeting, committed to a "multinational force for Ukraine" from willing nations - which could support deterrence and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces in the event of a ceasefire.

It would be European-led, with the involvement of willing non-European member and "the proposed support of the US", it said. US special envoy Steve Witkoff told the news conference President Donald Trump "strongly stands" behind security protocols 

 

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