Trump in talks to deploy private army in Ukraine - Telegraph
Kyiv • UNN
Donald Trump is in talks with European allies to bring armed contractors to Ukraine. They will assist in the construction of fortifications and the protection of American interests.
US President Donald Trump is negotiating with European allies to allow armed contractors to help build fortifications to protect American interests in Ukraine. This was reported by UNN with reference to The Telegraph.
Details
The Telegraph writes that American private military companies could allegedly be deployed in Ukraine as part of a long-term peace plan.
"Donald Trump is negotiating with European allies to allow armed contractors to help build fortifications to protect American interests in the country. The plan is being developed as a workaround after the US president promised that American troops would not be deployed in Ukraine," the report says.
It is noted that American contractors could be deployed to help rebuild Ukraine's frontline defenses, new bases, and protect American businesses.
"The presence of private soldiers will act as a deterrent to discourage Vladimir Putin from violating a final ceasefire. The plan is being discussed along with a number of other so-called security guarantees developed by a coalition of the willing led by the UK and France, which will form the basis of a long-term peace plan," The Telegraph writes.
The Telegraph states that final details, which include air policing, training, and naval missions in the Black Sea, could be announced as early as this weekend after weeks of diplomatic activity sparked by Trump's talks with Putin in Alaska.
The Telegraph also stated that it is able to publish the most comprehensive version to date of how a European-led mission could enforce any peace agreement, thanks to briefings from more than a dozen Western officials.
European military planners reportedly accelerated their work after Trump informed continental leaders that Putin was open to Western allies offering security guarantees to Ukraine.
The American commander-in-chief also expressed his readiness to support what could become one of the most important foreign missions since the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Border reinforcement
The Telegraph notes that European officials said the main strategy for preventing future war is to continue rebuilding Ukraine's battle-damaged armed forces into a primary form of deterrence.
Under the plan, Ukrainian formations will defend a reinforced frontline border, as will be agreed in any peace agreement.
Ukrainian troops will be rearmed and trained by European NATO allies, using existing and new mechanisms, the publication writes.
For example, Ukraine can continue to purchase American systems, such as Patriot air defense batteries or Himars missile launchers, using funds provided by European allies.
American contractors
The Telegraph reports that frontline fortifications and nearby bases could be built by American private military contractors, as was done in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The presence of American contractors on the ground in Ukraine will be seen as a significant incentive for European states that want America to volunteer for a possible peace agreement, the publication writes.
According to sources, their deployment would mean that the White House would have a stake in the game and would strengthen the deterrent effect against a Russian attack due to fears of US retaliation.
Discussions about the use of American contractors can be traced back to the signing of a joint agreement between Washington and Kyiv on the extraction of Ukraine's vast mineral and rare earth wealth, the publication notes.
The White House remains opposed to deploying its own troops in Ukraine, but has agreed to broad support for the use of European forces to support any peace agreement.
A Whitehall source said that private American contractors are "placing American 'boots', i.e., American passport holders, on the ground, which is effectively a deterrent to Putin."
The use of private contractors would also allow Trump to assuage fears among his MAGA supporters who oppose foreign intervention, and would provide him with another business deal to promote, officials said.
Buffer zone
Some European countries have put forward the idea of a demilitarized buffer zone to separate Ukrainian and Russian troops after the fighting ends.
It could be patrolled by peacekeepers or observers, as will be agreed between Kyiv and Moscow in any peace settlement, the publication writes.
As indicated, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will likely demand the deployment of European troops in this zone. The Kremlin has suggested that China could be used as a security guarantor in peace agreement negotiations.
Trump also proposed deploying Chinese troops as peacekeepers in post-war Ukraine during his meeting with European leaders last week, the Financial Times reported.
Disagreements between the warring countries mean that this option is unlikely to be agreed upon by all parties, the publication writes.
The idea, first put forward by Putin, met with resistance from Europe, and was previously rejected by Zelenskyy due to Beijing's support for Russia's war efforts.
And European countries insist that they will not deploy their servicemen, men and women, on the front line between the Ukrainian and Russian armies.
Responding to reports about the prospect of a buffer zone, Zelenskyy said that the Russians could withdraw if they wanted to create more space between themselves and Ukrainian forces.
Zelenskyy on Politico's article about a "buffer zone": it already exists29.08.25, 16:08 • 3298 views
Support forces
The Telegraph states that European-led forces could be deployed deeper into Ukraine to offer a third line of defense if Russia decides to invade.
This would primarily serve as another deterrent deployment, consisting of thousands of European military personnel.
"The main goal is to show Ukrainians that we will fight with you if Russia invades again," one official said.
Dozens of countries have told their counterparts that they are ready to join the deployment.
This includes countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Belgium, as well as the Baltic, Northern European, and Scandinavian countries.
The deployment of about 30,000 European military personnel was previously discussed.
The source added that this figure appears to have been reduced due to a lack of resources and fears that Putin might consider it "too powerful."
According to officials, offers of mission support were not often backed by concrete promises of how they might join.
However, this will depend on a number of American promises of support, including a so-called "backstop" and other assistance with logistics and intelligence.
Earlier, The Telegraph reported that these support forces would be deployed in Ukraine only for a period of five to ten years or until the relevant countries are confident that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are capable of defending themselves.
Airspace patrol mission
European countries are discussing the introduction of a no-fly zone so that Ukraine can confidently reopen commercial air routes, the publication writes.
The Telegraph reports that this scheme could be implemented in stages, starting, for example, from the West and gradually covering more airspace until the entire country becomes safe enough for commercial air travel.
Allowing air travel is seen as a key element in providing an investment incentive for the war-torn country, and will also help refugees return home.
Initially, the mission, which will use Western fighter patrols and ground-based air defense systems, will aim to open Lviv and other Ukrainian airports in the west of the country, the publication notes.
As confidence in the observance of any ceasefire agreements grows, as indicated, the mission will be expanded eastward, towards Kyiv and other cities.
Black Sea Task Force
Under the plans, Turkey will lead a naval mission in the Black Sea aimed at ensuring the security of commercial shipping lanes to and from Ukraine.
Kyiv has been able to keep its wartime maritime corridors open, and more routes will be restored through Western naval patrols as part of the operation, the publication writes.
The mission, supported by Black Sea countries Bulgaria and Romania, will also lead efforts to clear mines from the waters, the publication indicates.
Romania, it is noted, is purchasing warships from Turkish shipyards, preparing to play a more key role in the region.
Turkey, as the publication reminds, has blocked access to the Black Sea for both Russian and newer vessels promised to Ukraine by Western allies, seeking to limit the conflict in the region.
Western training missions
The Telegraph writes that a European deployment is most likely to take the form of military instructors relocated to new bases in Western Ukraine.
This idea was first proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron last year amid fears that too many Ukrainian servicemen were deserting training camps in his country.
According to a former American official, Joe Biden at the time rejected it as escalatory.
But this year it re-emerged under pressure from Trump, who was to develop a peace plan as a way to provide another deterrent effect against a renewed Russian invasion, the publication writes.
As noted, the training forces will also accelerate the process of rearming and rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces to create a "steel porcupine" effect on the front line.
Under current plans, in addition to the French mission, the highly successful UK training program "Operation Interflex" is likely to be moved to Western Ukraine.
US support considered vital
US logistical support for any European deployment is seen as a prerequisite for security guarantees.
European officials believe that Washington has agreed to requests for assistance in the form of American heavy transport aircraft to move equipment and troops eastward into Ukraine.
This would also help maintain the flow of Western weapons to Ukraine. European countries have already committed to purchasing at least $10 billion worth of American-made military equipment for Ukraine in recent weeks.
Ukraine has also made a proposal that includes a promise to purchase another $90 billion worth of equipment after the war ends.
As part of the preparations, the US State Department has already approved the potential sale of approximately $825 million worth of air-launched cruise missiles and related equipment to Ukraine.
The potential sale of 3,350 extended-range missiles (Eram), which could be delivered to Kyiv within weeks, includes GPS guidance kits and electronic warfare countermeasures for weapons with a range of "several hundred" miles.
Intelligence is key to success
Another prerequisite for any European deployment will be the offer of American intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance (ISR) support, officials said.
European countries do not have the satellite capabilities needed to properly monitor any ceasefire.
It is believed that in addition to supporting ground units, intelligence assistance will also be key to the success of the air patrol mission.
Command and control
As The Telegraph indicates, Europe also lacks experience in coordinating large military missions, which largely remains the purview of American four-star generals.
European and American officials have discussed the prospect of using an American military commander to oversee all deployments as part of the peace plan.
American General Alexus Grynkewich, NATO's commander-in-chief, was considered a possible candidate for the position if Trump approved the idea.
The White House has already approved his participation in the recent flurry of military planning, which European allies see as one of the biggest displays of support for security guarantees from the president.
US protection
Most European countries remain privately concerned that any troop deployment can only happen with serious support from the US.
"We're going to be involved in terms of backup support. We're going to help them," Trump told reporters last week.
But Europeans said they had not yet heard how the White House was prepared to support the mission.
The main request from European governments is for Trump to station fighter jets and missiles in neighboring Poland or Romania, ready to respond to the first signs of Russian aggression.
European officials believe that such a level of guarantees from Washington would make Russia think twice before launching an attack on their troops stationed in Ukraine.
"The prospect of an American military response is a completely different prospect than a European response," a source said.
Even if Trump verbally agrees to this concept, European capitals express concern about the sustainability of this promise.
"The problem is that Trump himself believes that his words and Trump's power are enough to deter the Russians," a Whitehall source said.
Trump: we will provide Ukraine with very good security guarantees18.08.25, 20:52 • 4127 views
Putin is still not trusted
There is also a feeling among European officials that plans for security guarantees will never see the light of day, as they are not sure that Putin is ready to agree to a ceasefire, the publication writes.
Many believe that he is misleading Trump and dragging out the war to gain more territory.
On Friday, Russia said that Western proposals for security guarantees were "one-sided" and "designed to contain Russia," which only increased the level of skepticism in Europe.
Putin's unwillingness to agree to a ceasefire has led Trump to abandon economic incentives offered to Russia to end the war, the publication indicates.
Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, stated that the US is not putting any pressure on Ukraine to make territorial concessions.
"I am satisfied with the meeting with Witkoff... no one from the American side is putting pressure on Ukraine regarding any territories," he said after meeting with Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff in New York.