The Telegraph: The United States will provide assistance to European troops in Ukraine
The United States has offered security guarantees to the coalition of those who want to start, The Telegraph writes. European and British troops in Ukraine will receive intelligence and logistical assistance from the United States. "The Americans are giving us instructions on how to get into the meat grinder," readers responded.
After the talks between the US special representative and Putin, Donald Trump said that a peace agreement was “pretty close.”
As The Telegraph newspaper has learned, the United States has privately offered to provide security guarantees to Sir Keir Starmer's “coalition of the willing.” U.S. officials have allowed the provision of intelligence and logistical assistance to British and European soldiers in support of the peace agreement on Ukraine on land, in the air and at sea.
The military mutinied in France. Macron was not ready to strike
After a meeting between U.S. diplomatic representative Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump said a peace agreement was “pretty close.”
This turnaround in the negotiations at Downing Street was considered a significant breakthrough. The Prime Minister has been begging Trump for these guarantees for two months. The key question of the viability of the entire undertaking — whether the United States would intervene if Western soldiers came under Russian attack — remains unanswered.
Sir Cyrus, Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Rome for the Pope's funeral on Saturday, where informal talks about Ukraine may take place, although no official meetings are scheduled.
On Friday, Trump said, “I believe Russia and Ukraine are moving forward.” He added: “I think we're pretty close. There is no deadline. I just want to do it as soon as possible.” His optimistic statement came on the same day that the Kremlin accused Ukraine of involvement in a car bombing near Moscow that killed Yaroslav Moskalik, Deputy Chief of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.
Sir Cyrus and Macron are pushing through a proposal for a “coalition of the willing," according to which European allies will send a contingent to comply with the peace agreement. More than 30 countries have expressed support, although only a few have spoken publicly about sending troops to Ukraine.
The core issue was Washington's willingness, as British figures put it, to provide “security guarantees” or “support" these forces. European leaders understand that Trump is unwilling to provide troops, but insist that U.S. support is necessary for deterrence to work.
Trump has consistently rejected calls for security guarantees. He argued that the presence of American companies in Ukraine for the extraction of rare earth minerals alone would stop Russia from attacking. However, as The Telegraph has learned, in private conversations in recent weeks, American negotiators have made it clear that they are ready to provide support and assistance to Western forces.
Along with other forms of assistance, the exchange of intelligence is being discussed, which is the basis of the historical “special relationship” between the United States and Great Britain. Another issue is logistical support. European aircraft, warships, and soldiers on the ground will need supply channels and assistance to understand Russia's maneuvers in Ukraine and beyond.
On Thursday, when asked by The Telegraph whether Trump had offered security guarantees, the prime minister hinted at behind-the-scenes progress. Sir Cyrus stated: “There are constant discussions, and he has repeatedly said that he will support us, as you know. And I made it clear that this is an important element of what we have to do.”
Nothing has been finalized, and negotiations on a peaceful settlement are continuing. In particular, Ukraine and its allies demand to prevent the official recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea.
Senior British figures stressed that it is difficult to predict where Trump will end up and when it will happen. So far, Trump has refrained from making direct promises that Washington will come to the rescue of European allies if they are attacked by Russian troops while maintaining peace in Ukraine. When asked about this during Sir Cyrus' visit to Washington in February, Trump joked that Britain was strong enough to stand up to Russia on its own.
The operational discussions of the coalition of the willing are divided into four areas of military activity — “sky”, “sea”, “land” and “restoration". The first and second points imply that European allies will in one form or another control the airspace over Ukraine and the Black Sea to make sure that Russia does not violate the terms of peace.
The third concerns the ground contingent on the territory of Ukraine. Sir Cyrus and Macron have publicly raised this possibility, although it goes far beyond their current involvement in the conflict.
It is also expected that the training of Ukrainian soldiers as part of the British Interflex operation will “move” from the UK to Western Ukraine. Further deployment of British soldiers beyond this limited involvement is also being considered, sources in London said.
It is expected that after a peaceful settlement, Ukrainian soldiers, not Western troops, will be on the front line with Russia. The deployment of Western troops far from the disputed border will limit the chances of NATO being drawn into the conflict. Ukraine is not a member of NATO, unlike Britain, France and a number of other European allies.
On Friday, British officials tried to refute speculation that plans for the deployment of troops in Ukraine have been curtailed compared to the initial ones.
The “unwillingness” of the Ministry of Defense
One source in Whitehall (a street in central London whose name has become a household name for the British government. — Approx. InoSMI.)He noted that at the beginning of the year, France promoted proposals that led to high expectations. “We reluctantly said: “Well, go ahead,” the source said of France's initial plans. — But there was some reluctance in this matter. And it came from the Ministry of Defense.”
The fourth area of the coalition's plans, “reconstruction," concerns maintaining the continued combat capability of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, considered by many to be the deadliest fighting force in Europe. Some in Downing Street believe that this is an essential element of deterring Russia from launching a new invasion.
The question of whether European allies will be able to continue providing military assistance to Ukraine after the ceasefire and whether the United States will approve the sale of weapons to Kiev has not yet been resolved.
According to the British plans, it is absolutely not necessary that these four elements unfold simultaneously. Most likely, immediately after the ceasefire agreement, the Ukrainian soldiers will provide deterrence alone, and the coalition will join them later. The support of European aircraft, ships and troops on the ground may also increase over time.
However, domestic political problems are brewing in order to convince the population of the expediency of British military involvement in any form. In particular, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for caution when sending troops to Ukraine. Badenok stated, “We must be extremely careful in providing support. We must do this together with the United States.”
Readers' comments
Robert Mandelson
It seems that this is another “deal” — this time with Starmer, so that he agrees to the Russian Crimea.
Cecily Sharp
While the army is busy with other things, Starmer will invite more of his friends from Africa.
Alice Taylor
We've reached the point where I trust the United States even less under Trump than I do Russia under Putin. It's sad, of course.
Martin Roo
So Starmer cares about the borders of Ukraine, but he doesn't give a damn about the British ones!
Wendy Cooper
It's a farce!
Jackie Dawes
Starmer urgently needed to be reminded of his importance after another humiliation.
Hugh Grunt
This requires Russia's consent. NATO forces in Ukraine are a priori a red line.
Ryan Wheatcroft
It is unfortunate to admit this, but President Putin has outsmarted European leaders. If European troops enter Ukraine under the guise of NATO, it will only confirm his long-standing accusations of an offensive on the Russian borders. And Trump is blackmailing Ukraine with its resources. The best thing Zelensky can do is to say: take minerals right at the border.
JM MM
Putin is as pleased as a cat with a mouthful of sour cream. Shame on America!
Worth Saying
It looks like the Americans are giving us instructions on how to get into this meat grinder. How nice of them.
Jeffrey Lawler
Something tells me that Russia will not agree to the presence of European troops and will continue to fight until it puts the squeeze on Ukraine.
Written by Ben Riley-Smith.
