Ukraine's Western allies have developed a rough plan for the country's defense in the event of a peace agreement with Russia, sources say, reports the Financial Times (FT).

The plan envisages three lines of defense for Ukraine:

A demilitarized zone that can be patrolled by peacekeepers from third countries, the list of which shall be agreed between Russia and Ukraine.

Behind this zone shall be a much more stable border, which will be defended by Ukrainian troops armed and trained by NATO forces.

And the third line of defense shall be located deep in Ukraine. According to the plan, European forces will be deployed there, with American forces assisting them from the rear, the FT notes.

European officials have privately admitted that they are ready to deploy forces in Ukraine only on condition of US assistance, DW reports.

Washington is ready to provide strategic capabilities, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, command and monitoring, and air defense capabilities, to assist any force deployed on the ground under European leadership.