"In the current situation, the French and British nuclear forces are a complement to U.S. extended deterrence, but they would not constitute a viable solution in the event of an abrupt withdrawal of U.S. nuclear forces," the Washington-based Centre for Strategic & International Studies said.

The breakdown in U.S.-Ukraine ties has given new urgency to the two European nuclear powers' efforts to pull together ideas for a peace plan that would initially outline a short truce but also eventually include broader security guarantees. Britain and France have both said the U.S. would be needed for future assurances.

(AP Photo/Harry Nakos) PARIS (AP) — France is also seeking access to Ukraine ‘s deposits of critical minerals, with negotiations already underway for months, the French defense minister said Thursday, indicating that the United States isn’t the only ...

Britain, France and Ukraine have agreed to work on a ceasefire plan to present to the U.S., British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Sunday as he prepared to host a summit of European leaders.

Europe is staring down the barrel of a stark new reality where the United States being the backbone of NATO – the alliance that has guaranteed the continent’s security since 1949 for almost 80 years – is no longer a given.

The announcement comes following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's Oval Office clash with U.S. President Donald Trump.

The two votes highlighted a seismic shift in the balance of power at the UN, where Washington had steadfastly voted for resolutions that favored Ukraine and condemned Russia, until the abrupt rupture with Kyiv.