Western countries have agreed on what is described as a «multi-layered support plan» for a potential peace settlement on Ukraine, the Financial Times reports.

According to the newspaper, Ukraine, the United States and European states have worked out a response mechanism in case the terms of an agreement between Moscow and Kiev are violated. If breaches become systematic, the plan envisages a coordinated reaction within 24 hours. This would start with a diplomatic warning and could extend to actions by the Ukrainian army. Should hostilities fail to stop, the framework allows for escalation to a second phase involving a so-called «coalition of the willing».

At the same time, public statements have repeatedly referred to allegedly agreed security guarantees for Ukraine, including the possible deployment of European military contingents. However, the Financial Times notes that Washington has yet to officially confirm the existence of such arrangements.

Leaked information suggests the United States is not prepared to commit to protecting European forces in the event of a direct clash with Russia. The absence of these guarantees, the paper points out, remains a key factor holding European countries back from direct military involvement.

For now, the only clear position is that Washington is open to discussing limited security guarantees for Kiev, and only after a peace agreement is signed. Moscow, for its part, insists on the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the territory of Donbass — a condition Vladimir Zelensky rejects.