American private military firms could be deployed to Ukraine as part of a long-term peace plan.

Donald Trump is in talks with European allies about allowing armed contractors to help build fortifications to protect American interests in the country.

The plan is being devised as a workaround after the US president promised that American troops would not be stationed in Ukraine.

US contractors could be deployed to help rebuild Ukraine’s front-line defences, new bases and protect US businesses.

The presence of private soldiers would act as a deterrent to discourage Vladimir Putin from breaking an eventual ceasefire.

The plan is being discussed alongside a range of other so-called security guarantees – drawn up by the coalition of the willing led by the UK and France – that will form the basis of a long-term peace plan.