Britain and France are spearheading plans to deploy up to 30,000 European troops to Ukraine as part of a "reassurance force" aimed at preventing future Russian attacks following any US-brokered peace deal.
The proposed force would focus on protecting Ukrainian cities, ports and critical infrastructure, western officials said.
The troops would be stationed away from the frontlines in eastern Ukraine, with efforts concentrated on air and maritime defence.
The plan comes as European leaders scramble to respond to recent peace negotiations between the US and Russia that excluded Ukraine.
Starmer has thrown his weight behind President Zelensky
PA
The force would help secure the reopening of Ukraine's airspace to commercial flights and maintain security of Black Sea trade routes crucial for food exports. Military personnel would be stationed at major cities, ports and nuclear power plants across Ukraine.
Satellites, spy planes and drones would provide technical monitoring to ensure Russia doesn't breach any peace agreement.
The plan includes an air policing mission using fast jets based outside Ukraine, similar to Nato operations already conducted in Baltic states and Romania.
Warships could also be deployed to the Black Sea for demining efforts and maritime patrols. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will present the plan to Donald Trump during his first official visit to the White House next week.
A key element of the proposal hinges on securing US "backstop" support, which officials say is vital to deter future Russian aggression.
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Russia has firmly rejected the proposed European force
Reuters
This backstop could involve American fighter jets stationed in Poland and Romania, though US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has ruled out deploying US troops to Ukraine.
Downing Street has emphasised that US security guarantees are "essential" because "only the US can deter Putin from attacking again".
Russia has firmly rejected the proposed European force, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declaring it "unacceptable".
Peskov said Moscow was monitoring such proposals "with concern" as they would involve Nato member states' forces.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov earlier this week described any Nato country deployment in Ukraine as a "direct threat" to Russia's sovereignty, even if troops operated under a different flag.
Foreign minister Sergi Lavrov issued the warning
Reuters
Britain's Defence Secretary John Healey and Norwegian Defence Minister Tore Sandvik
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Moscow has demanded Nato abandon its 2008 promise of eventual Ukrainian membership and dismissed the idea of alliance members acting as peacekeepers.
Defence Secretary John Healey said today that Britain and Norway will "step up further" their support for Ukraine.
Speaking at a press conference after meeting Norwegian counterpart Tore Sandvik, Healey said: "Ukraine is still fighting. We must keep them in the fight."
He described current discussions as a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" to deepen defence partnerships, adding: "The Ukrainians are still fighting and our job is to support them in that fight, to keep them as strong as they can be when they come to the negotiating table. Support them on the battlefield, support them at the negotiating table when they choose to do so."
