Britain is poised to take command of a European military force tasked with ensuring Ukraine's long-term security, according to a proposed peace deal aimed at ending the war with Russia. The plan forms part of intensive negotiations, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has praised for making 'solid' progress during talks in the United States.
The Framework of a Potential Peace
President Zelensky revealed that the backbone of the proposed settlement is a detailed 20-point plan. He stated that nearly 90% of Ukraine's demands have now been incorporated into the draft agreements. The security architecture involves a framework document on guarantees between Ukraine, European nations, and the US, plus a separate bilateral agreement on security assurances granted to Ukraine directly by the United States.
Under the discussed provisions, European forces would operate under the joint leadership of the United Kingdom and France, with the United States providing a strategic 'backstop'. This multinational effort is designed to ensure Ukraine's security across all domains: in the air, on land, and at sea.
"Some key countries will provide presence in these domains; others will contribute to energy security, finance, bomb shelters, and so on," Zelensky explained. He further indicated that Ukraine is pushing for the US bilateral document to be reviewed by Congress, with certain sensitive annexes remaining classified.
Talks Progress Amid Ongoing Conflict
Despite the forward momentum in diplomacy, the brutal reality of war continues. On Tuesday morning, following the latest round of negotiations, Ukraine suffered a series of Russian attacks. Officials confirmed one person was killed in the western Khmelnytsky region and another in the capital, Kyiv.
Zelensky, while optimistic about the talks, acknowledged that compromise is inevitable. "Overall, it looks quite solid at this stage," he told reporters in Kyiv. "There are some things we are probably not ready for, and I'm sure there are things the Russians are not ready for either."
The US negotiation team, led by envoy Steve Witkoff, is currently engaged in discussions with Russian representatives. Washington has requested that details of these talks remain confidential. Witkoff described recent meetings in Florida with Ukrainian and European officials as 'productive and constructive'.
Military Dynamics and Covert Actions
On the ground, the conflict's intensity remains high. Zelensky met with his military commanders on Monday, who reported that Ukrainian defensive lines are holding firm against increased Russian assaults. "In (recent) weeks, the Russian army has significantly increased the intensity of attacks, and the number of Russian losses has increased accordingly," he noted in a Telegram post.
Meanwhile, Ukraine appears to be striking back on Russian soil. Officials stated on Monday that Ukrainian forces hit an oil terminal, a pipeline, two parked jet fighters, and two ships inside Russia. In a separate suspected operation, a top Russian general was killed by a car bomb in Moscow, with investigators pointing to Ukrainian involvement. Additionally, Ukrainian partisans claimed responsibility for setting fire to two Russian jet fighters at a base near Lipetsk on Sunday evening. The Russian Defence Ministry said its forces shot down 41 Ukrainian drones overnight.
US President Donald Trump, who has been advocating for a peace agreement for months, commented on the process from his Mar-a-Lago estate. "We are talking. It's going OK," he said on Monday, adding of the fighting, "I'd like to see it stopped."
