FT Outlines 3-Line Defense Plan for Post-Peace Ukraine

Ukraine's allies have drawn up a preliminary plan for the country's defense in the event of a peace agreement with Russia, reports the British newspaper Financial Times, citing sources.

The plan provides for three lines of defense for Ukraine:

The first is a demilitarized zone, which can be patrolled by peacekeepers from third countries, the list of which will be agreed upon by Russia and Ukraine.

The second is a "much more stable border," which will be protected by Ukrainian servicemen armed and trained by NATO forces.

The third line of defense will be deep in Ukraine. There, according to the plan, European forces will be deployed, and the Americans will support them from the rear, notes the FT.

According to the newspaper, European officials have privately admitted that they are ready to deploy forces in Ukraine only on the condition of US support.

Four sources familiar with the course of the negotiations told the FT that Washington is ready to provide "strategic assets," including intelligence, surveillance, as well as air defense assets, to support any forces deployed on the ground under European leadership.