UK and France agree to set up military hubs across Ukraine — Starmer
Photo: Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister (Getty Images)
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced this at a press conference following a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, that France and the United Kingdom had agreed that military hubs would be established across Ukraine once a ceasefire comes into effect, according to The Telegraph and Sky News.
Starmer said the creation of military hubs in Ukraine would follow his confirmation that the UK will deploy its own contingent to Ukrainian territory to help secure a future ceasefire. This condition is outlined in a declaration of intent on the deployment of forces in Ukraine.
According to Sky News, the hubs will be equipped to support force deployment and the construction of protected facilities for storing weapons and military equipment in support of Ukraine's defense needs.
The UK prime minister also criticized Russian leader Vladimir Putin for refusing to commit to ending the war.
"We will keep the pressure up on Russia… until they (Russia - ed.) come to the table in good faith," he said.
Starmer added that peace in Ukraine is now "closer than ever," while cautioning that "the hardest yards are still ahead."
France, UK and Ukraine sign a key declaration
Earlier today, January 6, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and France signed a declaration of intent on the deployment of forces in Ukraine following a leaders-level meeting of the Coalition of the Willing.
The declaration paves the way for establishing a legal framework for the actions of French and British troops on Ukrainian territory, as well as for ensuring the security of Ukraine's airspace and maritime domain.
French President Emmanuel Macron also said that a coordination group has been set up in Paris to facilitate cooperation among countries in the Coalition of the Willing.
