PARIS, Jan 06 — British and French armed forces are set to deploy on Ukrainian soil in the event of a ceasefire with Russia, Downing Street announced following high-level talks in Paris.
At a joint press conference alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer revealed plans to establish “military hubs” across Ukraine once a peace agreement is reached. The leaders signed the “Paris Declaration,” paving the way for a legal framework allowing UK and French forces to operate in Ukraine to secure its airspace, seas, and support the rebuilding of its armed forces.
A statement from Number 10 elaborated: “Post-ceasefire, the UK and France will establish ‘military hubs’ across Ukraine to facilitate deployment and construct protected facilities for weapons and equipment, bolstering Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.” The declaration also includes a multinational force to deter future aggression, with the UK participating in a US-led ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism.
Starmer emphasized that peace requires Russian President Vladimir Putin to show willingness for compromise, noting Putin is currently not demonstrating readiness for negotiations. “We will maintain pressure on Russia, including additional sanctions on oil tankers and shadow fleet operators funding the war,” he added.
Macron described the agreement as providing “strong security guarantees,” while Zelenskyy hailed it as a concrete step toward lasting peace.
US involvement was highlighted by President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner, who attended the summit. Witkoff stated that Trump “strongly stands behind” the security guarantees, describing them as designed to “deter further attacks and defend if necessary — as strong as anyone has ever seen.”
Kushner added that the protocols promote “peace through strength,” making renewed conflict unlikely, and called the declaration a “major milestone” in building toward a comprehensive peace deal.
The announcements come amid ongoing Russian strikes on Ukraine, underscoring the urgency of diplomatic efforts by the Coalition of the Willing.
