UK, France, Ukraine issue details of declaration on multinational force deployment

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - The UK, France and Ukraine on Wednesday issued details of a declaration of intent signed a day earlier outlining plans for the deployment of multinational forces in support of Ukraine’s defense, reconstruction and long-term strategic sustainability.

The declaration recognized that the UK and France take a leading role in building a coalition of willing nations, including the "Multinational Force – Ukraine" (MNF-U), to set stable conditions for an enduring peace and Ukrainian sovereignty once a ceasefire is reached.

This came after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a declaration of intent in Paris following the conclusion of the "Coalition of the Willing" summit in the French capital.

According to the document, the declaration also recognized that the UK and France reaffirm their commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, as well as to Ukraine's irreversible pathway to Euro-Atlantic integration.

It also recognized that the UK and France intend to use military, economic and diplomatic instruments to ensure the conclusion of a peace agreement that will strengthen Ukraine’s position, guarantee Ukraine’s security, sovereignty and its Euro-Atlantic direction.

The declaration noted that the two European nations take a leading role in supporting the development of Ukraine's defense capabilities, "which encompasses the restoration, regeneration and training of the security and defence forces of Ukraine, as well as the strengthening of the defence-industrial potential."

It seeks to implement key elements of multilateral cooperation, primarily through the deployment of the armed forces of the UK, France and other contributing nations, as part of the MNF-U on the territory of Ukraine as well as through other forms of military support.

The declaration recognized that the signatories intend to expand their military, technical and logistical cooperation, by creating military hubs in order to support the MNF-U, ensuring favorable conditions for training and restoration of the security and defense forces of Ukraine.

It also recognized that Ukraine intends to create a legal and institutional framework for the presence of the MNF-U on the territory of Ukraine based on the privileges and immunities granted by a series of international agreements including the agreement between the parties to the North Atlantic Treaty regarding the status of their Armed Forces (NATO SOFA), signed in London on in 1951.

The document noted that it intends to deploy units of the armed forces of the UK and France together with units of the armed forces of contributing nations of the MNF-U, on the territory of Ukraine in all domains to support Ukraine’s capabilities "to deter third countries from carrying out further attacks on Ukraine’s territory."

Within this framework, Ukraine will grant the UK, France and all other nations contributing to the MNF-U the right to use the necessary means, "including the use of force, to fulfill the mission of the MNF-U and to protect the personnel, equipment, and infrastructures of the MNF-U and Ukraine."

It ensures that all actions regarding the deployment of the armed forces of the UK, France and nations contributing to the MNF-U, their movements, support and the conduct of any operations "shall take place under strict control and management of the MNF-U joint operations staff, being subject to compulsory coordination with the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine."

The document also supports Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration through enhancement of interoperability, experience sharing, and the development of equipment, doctrine and standards in line with NATO standards.