Journalists at The Washington Post report that a potential settlement of the conflict in Ukraine could allow Kiev to retain auxiliary forces such as the National Guard. According to the newspaper, these units may give Ukraine a way to keep effective manpower above the «nominal» troop ceiling set for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The article notes that negotiators are still struggling to reach agreement on one of the central points — limiting the size of the Ukrainian army. Kiev, it is stressed, opposes writing any such restrictions into the constitution and resists formal, hard-coded troop caps.

The Washington Post cites officials as saying that, regardless of whatever nominal army size might be agreed, additional formations could remain in place, including the National Guard or other supporting forces.

The paper previously reported, referring to its sources, that European officials have prepared their own proposals on limiting Ukraine’s military potential and on possible territorial concessions. According to the outlet, European countries are pushing for an upper limit of 800,000 service members in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, while the United States is insisting on a cap of 600,000.

The report also recalls that on 2 December Russian president Vladimir Putin received in the Kremlin the US president’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and the American leader’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. Their visit to Moscow was connected with discussions of a US peace plan on Ukraine. Putin said the American side had divided the 27 points contained in the plan into four separate packages and suggested that they be considered one by one.