Media: British and French leaders discuss peacekeeping force for Ukraine

In a recent private meeting at Chequers, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed the possibility of deploying British and French soldiers in Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping mission following a potential agreement to end the ongoing conflict.

President Macron is reportedly championing the idea, having already spoken to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk about the prospect. While the details of the conversations remain under wraps, Downing Street and the Élysée Palace have not denied that the discussions took place, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Multiple government sources suggest that while the proposal is still in the early stages, Sir Keir Starmer has yet to fully endorse the plan. However, the UK’s involvement in military aid to Ukraine remains unwavering. Starmer has already committed £3 billion in annual military assistance for Ukraine for the duration of the war, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

The discussions on the potential peacekeeping mission are seen as part of a broader diplomatic effort to ensure stability in Ukraine once a ceasefire is reached. However, no new funding commitments have been made by the UK as part of the new partnership between Ukraine and Britain.

By Vugar Khalilov