Ukraine war: Can Europe deter Russia without US military?

Donald Trump will not get involved in security guarantees for Ukraine, but can Europe fill the gap?

British Broadcasting CorporationWatch LiveHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsArts in MotionTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcastsRadioAudio FAQsVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveWeatherNewslettersCan Europe deter Russia in Ukraine without US military?22 hours agoShareSaveJonathan BealeDefence correspondentShareSaveEPAThe US has ruled out sending a Nato force to UkraineDonald Trump appears to have more confidence in the capabilities of Britain's armed forces than some of his own generals - or, for that matter, many of Britain's retired military top brass.

When asked at his news conference with the UK prime minister about US security guarantees for Ukraine, Trump said: "The British have incredible soldiers, incredible military and they can take care of themselves."

However, the US president did leave the question hanging in the air as to whether the UK military could take on Russia.

In public, senior US military officers are quick to praise the professionalism of Britain's armed forces. But in private, they're often highly critical of recent cuts to their size, especially to the British Army, which now has just over 70,000 regular troops.

"Too small" is what one very senior US general said in a private briefing on a visit to the UK.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czjeejw9z4zo

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