Inside US support for European coalition in post-ceasefire Ukraine
The USA, in unofficial talks, has declared its readiness to support a coalition of willing European forces, which could be deployed in Ukraine following a ceasefire. This is a breakthrough after months of efforts by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
What do you need to know?
- USA has declared support for a "coalition of the willing", offering security guarantees for European forces that may be deployed in Ukraine after a ceasefire is reached.
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been urging Donald Trump for such guarantees for two months, marking a significant breakthrough in talks.
- The United Kingdom is considering withdrawing plans to send thousands of soldiers to Ukraine, focusing instead on the reconstruction and rearming of the Ukrainian army.
The United States, in unofficial talks, has expressed its readiness to provide security guarantees to the so-called "coalition of the willing"—a group of European forces that could be deployed in Ukraine after a ceasefire is reached, the British "Telegraph" reported on Friday evening.
“Coalition of the willing.” What about guarantees from the USA?
American representatives also declared openness to support European troops with intelligence and logistics assistance, so they can maintain the peace agreement from land, air, and sea.
According to "The Telegraph," this is significant progress, as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been striving for two months to persuade Donald Trump to provide such guarantees. However, it is unclear whether the United States would decide on direct intervention if Russian forces attacked Western soldiers despite the ceasefire.
On Saturday, Starmer, Trump, and French President Emmanuel Macron are scheduled to attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome. It is possible that informal talks regarding the situation in Ukraine may occur during this meeting.
Trump has repeatedly rejected public calls for direct security guarantees, arguing that the very presence of Americans in Ukraine—due to access to minerals—will deter Russia from aggression.
Will the United Kingdom not send troops to Ukraine after all?
Meanwhile, according to "The Times," the United Kingdom might abandon the plan to send thousands of ground troops to Ukraine, deeming it too risky due to the possibility of escalating the conflict. France may also consider a similar move.
Instead of direct military involvement, London would focus on supporting the reconstruction and rearming of the Ukrainian army and providing assistance in air and sea protection. "The Times" noted that decisions on this matter have not yet been made, and the UK Ministry of Defense officially maintains the plan to deploy troops.
The "coalition of the willing" was initiated by the UK Prime Minister and aims to create a comprehensive support system for Ukraine—including access to weapons and actions to end the war. The coalition includes 33 countries, mainly European, as well as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Turkey.
