The United States is considering the possibility of transferring cruise missiles to Kiev after the end of hostilities as an alternative to deploying European "deterrent forces" in Ukraine, writes The Washington Post.
This is provided for in the peace plan between Russia and Ukraine prepared by the US, the newspaper columnist David Ignatius reports, citing sources.
According to sources of the publication, the US administration recognizes that the security guarantees for Ukraine contained in the 28-point plan are "insufficiently reliable". They allow for the possibility that President Donald Trump may reconsider the provision limiting the number of Ukrainian armed forces to 600 000, which provoked a sharp reaction from Ukraine and European countries.
At a meeting with American representatives in Florida, Rustem Umerov, secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, admitted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky may be willing to compromise on territorial issues - to cede part of Donbas in exchange for a peace agreement, David Ignatius also writes.
He cited sources familiar with the negotiations on the 28-point US peace plan. According to those interviewed, Umerov said that Ukraine could agree to the 600,000-strong army limit provided for in the plan.