UKRAINE’S allies have said they made major progress on Tuesday towards agreement on how to defend the country if a peace deal is struck with Russia, adding that they were ready to provide international guarantees to deter Moscow from attacking its neighbour again.

Moscow, however, insists that it will not accept such a move but consider it a direct threat.

The leaders of 27 European countries and Canada comprising the so-called “coalition of the willing,” as well as US representatives and top officials from the European Union and Nato, said they would provide Kiev’s front-line forces with equipment and training, plus air, land and sea support, to deter any future Russian attack.

The post-ceasefire architecture would also include beefing up Ukraine’s depleted army, including by replenishing its weapons stocks, so it could act as the country’s front-line deterrence against a resumption of fighting.

There was no immediate comment from officials in Russia on Tuesday, which was the eve of Orthodox Christmas.

The size of the supporting forces was not made public and many of the details of the plan, which would only apply if a ceasefire came into force, remain unclear.

Moscow has revealed few details of its stance in the US-led peace negotiations. Officials have reaffirmed Russia’s demands and have insisted there can be no ceasefire until a comprehensive settlement is agreed.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ruled out any deployment of troops from Nato countries on Ukrainian soil.

Moscow has made it clear that any such deployment will be taken as a threat to Russia that will be met accordingly.

But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said: “We determined what countries are ready to take leadership in the elements of security guarantees on the ground, in the air and at sea and in restoration.

“We determined what forces are needed. We determined how these forces will be operated and at what levels of command.”