As the U.S. and Russia push ahead — so far without Ukraine at the table – on talks to end the war, political and military leaders in Europe are fleshing out details of a plan for European forces to help ensure Moscow doesn't attack again.

The Kremlin said on Thursday that any plan to send European troops to Ukraine as part of a potential peacekeeping mission would be unacceptable for Russia and that it was monitoring such proposals with concern.

Plans for the UK and other European countries to send troops to Ukraine are in their very early stages. But the UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, will already be thinking about how such a move could play out at home. Sending UK troops abroad, even on a “peacekeeping” mission, always has the potential to spark huge public debate.

In the shadow of imminent defeat, European powers have unveiled their most audacious military initiative since the end of World War II. As Russia tightens its grip on Ukraine, Britain and France are preparing to cross a line that could potentially reshape the continent's security landscape forever.

Daily Telegraph revealed a plan to deploy up to 30,000 European soldiers in Ukraine following a potential ceasefire with Russia. The mission is expected to be supported by the U.S. Possible ground forces would be backed by British and French air forces,