Britain and France signed a declaration of intent to deploy troops to Ukraine if Kyiv and Moscow reach a peace agreement, officials announced after a 35‑nation meeting in Paris. The plan includes establishment of military hubs, protected weapons facilities and a U.S.‑led continuous ceasefire monitoring system. Coalition members also pledged long‑term armaments and resources to sustain a large Ukrainian defence force. Moscow has warned it will reject foreign troops and treat them as legitimate targets, leaving key questions about implementation unresolved.
UK and France Sign Declaration to Station Troops in Ukraine If Peace Deal Is Reached
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer shake hands after signing a declaration of intent in Paris on Tuesday. - Ludovic Marin/AFP/Getty Images
The United Kingdom and France have endorsed a declaration of intent to deploy forces to Ukraine if Kyiv reaches a peace agreement with Russia, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced after a 35‑nation meeting in Paris. The move is part of renewed Western efforts to guarantee Ukraine's post‑war security and deter further Russian aggression.
What the Declaration Says
The declaration commits the UK and France to establish military hubs across Ukraine after a ceasefire and to build protected facilities for weapons and military equipment to support Ukraine's defensive needs. Coalition members also agreed to provide long‑term military assistance and to establish a multinational force to help guarantee Ukraine's security by air, sea and land.
Macron speaks with Zelensky as they arrive for the Coalition of the Willing meeting. - Yoan Valat/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Ceasefire Monitoring and Legal Framework
Members of the so‑called Coalition of the Willing said security guarantees would include a continuous, reliable ceasefire monitoring system led by the United States and supported by partner nations. British and French officials said the agreement sets out the legal framework that would allow their forces to operate on Ukrainian soil after hostilities cease.
Context and Reactions
The Paris meeting — the largest since the coalition formed last spring — drew broad diplomatic attention. U.S. envoys including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner attended. Observers noted concurrent U.S. activity in other regions and debated whether those priorities would affect Washington's commitment to European security, but U.S. envoys reported progress on the security protocols discussed in Paris.
Representatives from 35 countries attended Tuesday's meeting. - Ludovic Marin/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
“Following a ceasefire, the UK and France will establish military hubs across Ukraine and build protected facilities for weapons and military equipment to support Ukraine's defensive needs,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.
There was no immediate official reaction from Moscow. The Kremlin has repeatedly stated it will not accept foreign forces operating in Ukraine as part of any peacekeeping arrangement, and President Vladimir Putin has warned that Western troops in Ukraine would be treated as legitimate targets.
Capacity and Controversies
Coalition leaders also said they would help provide resources to support a large, sustainable Ukrainian defence force. French President Emmanuel Macron said members pledged to supply the resources needed to maintain an armed force of up to 800,000 troops, a figure that contrasts with an earlier draft peace plan that proposed a lower cap and was rejected by Kyiv.
Officials stressed that signing a declaration of intent is only the first step: a secure, enforceable peace agreement would still require meaningful concessions from Russia. As Prime Minister Starmer put it, a deal depends on whether Moscow is prepared to negotiate in good faith.
As talks continue, the declaration clarifies how Western allies envision supporting Ukraine after a ceasefire and outlines legal and operational steps intended to prevent a renewed threat to Ukrainian sovereignty.
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