FT: US signals willingness to support postwar security framework for Ukraine

The United States has indicated a major policy shift, expressing readiness to provide air and intelligence support for a European-led security arrangement aimed at protecting Ukraine in the postwar period. The move marks a departure from Washington’s earlier position of staying out of any international peacekeeping efforts on Ukrainian territory.

According to senior national security and defence officials, who spoke to the Financial Times, Washington is prepared to supply crucial strategic capabilities — including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), command-and-control systems, air defence assets, and battlefield monitoring — to support the mission. This assistance would form the backbone of a broader European-led air defence shield, which could involve a no-fly zone and satellite and radar surveillance to enforce any future ceasefire agreement. However, the U.S. has made it clear that it will not deploy ground troops in Ukraine.

This new approach aligns with plans being developed by a “coalition of the willing” led by the United Kingdom and France, which envisions deploying Western forces to help guarantee Ukraine’s security after active hostilities cease. European officials have privately acknowledged that their plans would be difficult to implement without U.S. involvement, particularly when it comes to intelligence and operational oversight.

The shift comes as President Donald Trump, previously hesitant to endorse significant support for Ukraine, has shown greater openness to involvement, motivated by his interest in brokering a long-term peace settlement. European leaders have also sought to encourage this change by signalling commitments to increase their defence spending, in some cases pledging to raise military budgets to 5% of GDP.

Despite this progress, numerous uncertainties remain. The scope and timing of U.S. participation will depend on Europe’s ability to commit significant troop numbers to the mission. There are also questions about whether Russia would accept the presence of Western forces on Ukrainian soil, and some officials in Washington remain wary of deeper U.S. involvement due to concerns about being drawn into a prolonged engagement.

A White House spokesperson, addressing the situation, said: “President Trump and his national security team continue to engage with Russian and Ukrainian officials towards a bilateral meeting… to stop the killing and end the war. It is not in the national interest to further negotiate these issues publicly.”

Diplomatic efforts to secure a peace agreement remain stalled, with territorial disputes and security guarantees still unresolved. Nevertheless, European leaders see the United States’ newfound willingness to contribute as a potentially decisive step toward creating a sustainable postwar security framework for Ukraine.

By Tamilla Hasanova