France and UK have not yet decided on parameters of possible contingent in Ukraine
www.pravda.com.ua
Sat, 10 May 2025 16:55:00 +0300
France and the United Kingdom have not yet agreed on the details of a possible deployment of a Western contingent in Ukraine following a ceasefire, and emphasise that the Ukrainian Armed Forces will play a leading role in ensuring security.
Source French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at a meeting with journalists in Kyiv, as reported by European Pravda correspondent Details After the summit of the coalition of the willing in Kyiv, Macron and Starmer acknowledged that there is no agreement on the parameters, size, or location of the Western contingent.
Quote from Macron Discussions are ongoing among all partners, led by France and the UK.
Can I announce the result Not at the moment.
We are working on options, and the decision also depends on what Russias response will be.
When it comes, we will work on the most effective proposal.
Details He reiterated that the option of sending troops from France, the UK and a number of other countries to Ukraine is being considered Indeed, the deterrence force is an option.
But everything will depend on the course of the discussion between Ukraine and Russia.
Quote from Starmer Looking at the contingent in relation to the air, to the sea and to land.
Obviously there is a degree of optionality about it because we havent yet got to a ceasefire.
Details Starmer said he believes the contingent is an indispensable and very important component of the peace agreement.
Unless there is a contingent behind a deal, Putin is likely to breach it.
There have been deals in the past that he has not honoured.
And Ukraine needs not just a peace but a lasting peace.
Not a peace that is temporary, not a peace that lasts a few months or a few years, but a lasting peace, the UK Prime Minister said.
Both politicians stressed that the Western contingent would not be the main guarantee of security.
The guarantees will be built in several tiers.
The first tier of defence is the Ukrainian army itself.
And the second tier is deterrence, the contingent, Macron said.
We need to strengthen the Ukrainian army so that it is an element of deterrence, Starmer supported him.
Background Following the coalition summit on 10 May, it became known that the EU and the US had agreed to sharply increase sanctions against Russia if it refused the ceasefire.
Starmer also announced the Wests agreement not to ease sanctions against Russia to the end.
In a conversation with journalists, Zelenskyy spoke against Kelloggs idea of a demilitarised zone on the demarcation line with Russia.
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