American private security companies could be sent to Ukraine as part of a long-term “peace plan.”

In this context, US President Donald Trump is in discussions with European allies about allowing security companies to help build fortifications to protect American interests in the country.

This plan, reported by The Telegraph, is designed as a solution following the US president’s promise that American troops will not be deployed in Ukraine.

American companies could be sent to help rebuild Ukraine’s front-line defenses and new bases, as well as to protect American businesses.

According to the US, the presence of private security personnel would deter Russia from breaking a future ceasefire.

The plan is being discussed alongside a series of other security guarantees prepared by a coalition led by the United Kingdom and France, which will form the basis of the long-term peace plan.

The final details, which include air policing, training, and Black Sea naval missions, could be announced this weekend following weeks of diplomatic activity after Trump’s talks with Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

Trump’s green light for ‘security guarantees’ gives hope to Europeans

European military planners have accelerated their work after Trump told continental leaders that Putin was open to Western allies offering security guarantees to Ukraine.

The American leader has also agreed to support this mission, which could become one of the most significant overseas missions since the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

European officials have said that the key strategy to prevent future conflict is to make the war-damaged Ukrainian armed forces the main deterrent by rebuilding them.

According to the plan, Ukrainian troops will defend a fortified border on the front line, as agreed upon in any peace deal.

Kyiv’s forces will be rearmed and trained by European NATO allies using existing and new mechanisms.

For example, Ukraine could continue to purchase US systems like Patriot air defense batteries or Himars rocket launchers using funds provided by European allies.

Afghanistan and Iraq experience: Private companies on the front lines

Fortifications on the front line and nearby bases could be built by American private military companies, as was done in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The presence of American companies in Ukraine will be seen as a major boost for European powers seeking American support for a final peace agreement.

According to sources, their deployment would mean the White House has a stake in the matter, increasing the deterrent effect against a Russian attack for fear of US retaliation.

Discussions about using American private security companies date back to a joint agreement signed between Washington and Kyiv to extract Ukraine’s rich mineral and rare earth element resources.

The White House continues to oppose sending its own troops to Ukraine but has agreed to provide extensive support to European forces to back any peace agreement.

A British government source argued that private American companies “put American ‘boots on the ground,’ meaning American passport holders, which is an effective deterrent for Putin.”

Trump also hopes to appease his ‘MAGA’ base

Officials stated that by using private security companies, Trump would not only address the concerns of his “MAGA” (Make America Great Again) supporters who are against foreign intervention but also secure another “business deal” to champion.

Some European countries have proposed the idea of creating an unarmed buffer zone to separate Ukrainian and Russian forces once the conflict ends. This zone could be monitored by peacekeepers or observers as agreed upon by Kyiv and Moscow in any peace deal.

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy will likely request the deployment of European troops to this zone. The Kremlin has suggested China as a security guarantor in the peace treaty negotiations.

According to the Financial Times (FT), Trump also proposed the deployment of Chinese soldiers as peacekeepers in post-war Ukraine during his meeting with European leaders last week.

The differences between the warring countries mean that this option is unlikely to be accepted by all parties.

This idea, first floated by Putin, was rejected by Europe and had previously been dismissed by Zelenskyy due to Beijing’s “support for Russia’s war effort.”

European countries insist they will not place their soldiers on the front line between the Ukrainian and Russian armies.

Responding to reports about the possibility of a buffer zone, Zelenskyy said that if the Russians want to create more distance between themselves and Ukrainian forces, they can withdraw.

Europe has downsized its proposal for a 30,000-strong force

A European-led force could be deployed deeper inside Ukraine to form a third line of defense should Russia decide to invade.

This force would primarily serve as another deterrent, consisting of thousands of European soldiers.

“The main goal is to show Ukraine that if Russia invades again, we will fight with you,” an official said.

Dozens of countries have informed their counterparts that they are ready to participate in this deployment. These include the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Belgium, as well as Baltic, Scandinavian, and Nordic countries.

The deployment of approximately 30,000 European soldiers had been previously discussed. A source added that this number appears to have been reduced due to a lack of resources and concerns that it might be perceived as “too powerful” in Putin’s eyes.

Regarding the talks, officials said that offers of support for the mission are often not backed by concrete commitments on how they might participate.

The Telegraph previously reported that this assurance force would only be deployed in Ukraine for 5 to 10 years, or until the involved countries are confident that the Ukrainian military can defend itself.

No-fly zone discussions

European countries are in talks to establish a no-fly zone so that Ukraine can safely reopen its commercial aviation routes.

According to The Telegraph, this plan could be implemented in stages: for example, starting from the west and gradually covering more airspace until the entire country is safe enough for commercial air travel.

Allowing air travel to resume is seen as a key element for boosting investment in the country and is also thought to help refugees return home.

Initially, the mission, which will be carried out using Western fighter jets and ground-based air defense systems, will aim to open Lviv and other Ukrainian airports in the west of the country.

As confidence in the sustainability of ceasefire agreements grows, the mission will be expanded eastward toward Kyiv and other cities.

Türkiye to lead the ‘task force’ in the Black Sea

According to the plans, Türkiye will lead a naval mission in the Black Sea to ensure the security of commercial shipping routes to and from Ukraine.

Kyiv has managed to keep its wartime shipping corridors open, and the operation will re-establish more routes through Western naval patrols.

The mission, supported by Black Sea countries Bulgaria and Romania, will also lead mine-clearing efforts in the waters.

Romania is purchasing naval vessels from Turkish shipyards as it prepares to play a more significant role in the region.

To limit the conflict in the region, Türkiye has blocked access to the Black Sea for both Russian ships and the new vessels promised to Ukraine by Western allies.

European countries will continue to train Ukrainian soldiers

The most likely deployment in Europe will be the relocation of military trainers to new bases in Western Ukraine.

This idea was first proposed last year by French President Emmanuel Macron due to concerns about a large number of Ukrainian soldiers deserting from training camps in his country.

A former US official said the idea was rejected at the time by Joe Biden on the grounds that it risked escalation.

However, this year, the idea has been revived under pressure from Trump to create a peace plan aimed at providing another deterrent against a “new Russian invasion.”

The training forces will also accelerate the process of rearming and restructuring the Ukrainian armed forces to create a “steel hedgehog” effect on the front line.

According to current plans, alongside France’s mission, the United Kingdom’s training program, Operation Interflex, will also likely be moved to Western Ukraine.

Never without the US: The flow of weapons continues

US logistical support for any European military deployment is seen as a prerequisite for the security guarantees.

European officials believe that Washington is receptive to requests for assistance in the form of American heavy-lift aircraft to move equipment and troops east into Ukraine.

This will also help maintain the flow of Western weapons to Ukraine. In recent weeks, European countries have committed to purchasing at least $10 billion worth of American-made military equipment for Kyiv.

Ukraine has also submitted a proposal promising to purchase an additional $90 billion worth of hardware when the war ends.

In preparation, the US State Department had approved a potential sale of air-launched cruise missiles and related equipment to Ukraine for an estimated $825 million.

The potential sale of 3,350 extended-range attack munition (ERAM) missiles, which could be delivered to Kyiv within weeks, includes GPS guidance kits and electronic warfare defense systems for weapons with a range of “several hundred” miles.

The Pentagon announced on Thursday that the package also includes support equipment, mission planning software, spare parts, and technical support.

American intelligence called to duty

Officials said that another prerequisite for any deployment in Europe would be an offer of American intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) support.

European countries lack the necessary satellite capacity to adequately monitor a ceasefire. In addition to supporting local forces, intelligence assistance will be key to the success of the air policing mission.

Trump had temporarily withdrawn ISR support provided to Kyiv following a dispute with Zelenskyy in the Oval Office. This decision was linked to the Ukrainian armed forces rapidly losing their presence in Russia’s Kursk region.

The Pentagon reportedly did not provide the full intelligence needed by Ukraine to conduct cross-border missile strikes, effectively creating an American veto over such plans.

A source told The Telegraph that US officials also asked the British Ministry of Defence not to share intelligence on this matter while Trump’s peace talks with Putin were ongoing.

Europe’s lack of coordination experience is a headache

Europe also lacks experience in coordinating large military missions, a task that has mostly been left to American generals.

European and American officials have discussed the possibility of appointing a US military commander to oversee all deployments under the peace plan.

There is talk that NATO’s top commander, US General Alexus Grynkewich, could be appointed to this role if the idea is approved by Trump.

The White House has already approved his involvement in the recent intensive military planning, which is seen as one of the biggest signs of the president’s support for the security guarantees from European allies.

By giving Grynkewich a larger role, the coalition will benefit from pre-existing plans to defend the continent against Russia and from additional American support for any security guarantees.