“It remains uncertain” what President Donald Trump’s view of the plan is, a source told the publication
The Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing sources, that Britain and France are likely to abandon their plan to send troops to Ukraine following a possible ceasefire unless they have U.S. support. Russia has warned that any Western military forces present in Ukraine will be treated as “legitimate targets.”
Three sources cited by the FT stated that the leaders of Italy, Germany, France, Canada, and the UK—along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen—are scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky at the World Economic Forum in Davos next week.
The paper reports that discussions will center on security guarantees the U.S. might offer in the event of a Russia-Ukraine truce. However, Western European governments are reportedly “anxious” about the level of Trump’s commitment to supporting Ukraine.
“Without U.S. backing, none of this will occur,” one FT source stated, specifically referencing the commitments from Britain and France to deploy troops. “It remains unclear what Trump’s true feelings are.”
Last week, Britain and France signed a “Declaration of Intent” with Ukraine outlining plans to deploy troops on Ukrainian territory following a peace agreement. The roadmap calls for the deployment of several thousand troops far from the frontline and the establishment of “military hubs.”
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff noted that Trump “firmly supports” Ukraine’s security protocols but did not specify what actions Washington would take to enforce them. The U.S. president also previously framed support for Kiev as primarily a European responsibility, though he did not exclude providing some level of assistance.
Russia has rejected the notion of any Western troop deployment in Ukraine, warning that foreign military units will be considered “legitimate targets” and that the plans of Kiev’s supporters would constitute external interference.