In a landmark move to secure Ukraine's future, the United Kingdom and France have formally agreed to send military personnel to the country following any potential peace agreement with Russia.
A Framework for Future Security
The joint declaration, which creates a legal framework for the deployment, was signed following a high-level meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Paris on Tuesday 6 January 2026. The summit was led by British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Addressing reporters at a subsequent news conference alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Sir Keir stated the meeting had been "very constructive." He emphasised the coalition's purpose was "to help to deliver a peace that can last and to work with the US to guarantee Ukrainian security for the long term."
Scope of the Military Commitment
The agreement outlines a broad security guarantee for the war-torn nation. The core commitment is the deployment of a "multinational force for Ukraine" onto Ukrainian soil. This force is intended to serve as a deterrent against further Russian aggression and to provide robust security assurances.
The declaration specifies three key operational areas:
- Ground troop deployment for security and deterrence.
- Protection for Ukraine's airspace and territorial waters.
- The establishment of "military hubs" within Ukraine to facilitate the rapid deployment of defensive equipment.
Sir Keir noted that this arrangement would also enable the Ukrainian armed forces to focus on rebuilding their strength and capacity during a post-conflict period.
International Context and Attendees
The Paris talks underscored the international dimension of the security plan. Notable attendees included Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of the US President, and Steve Witkoff, the US Special Envoy to the Middle East, signalling continued American engagement in the process.
While Sir Keir had previously indicated the UK's openness to such a deployment, this declaration with France marks a significant step forward, transforming political intent into a structured, bilateral agreement. The Prime Minister confirmed that "this work is more advanced than ever."
The agreement represents a bold and long-term strategic commitment from two of Europe's major military powers, aiming to underpin any future peace settlement with tangible security guarantees for Kyiv.
