The UK has been supporting Ukraine since the beginning of the war (Image: GETTY)

The expert argued in an ideal world, Russia should pay for the consequences of its illegal invasion of Ukraine.

The Marshall Plan was launched by US President Harry Truman in 1948 with the aim to provide foreign aid to Europe, devastated by the second worldwide conflict. The goal was to rebuild war-torn regions, modernise industries, remove trade barriers and fend off Soviet influence from the Western bloc.

But if Moscow can't be dragged to the negotiating table and forced to fork out the damages inflicted on Ukrainian soil, Professor Bryson believes the UK, US and European Union will step up in support of Ukraine after the war as they are doing while it faces Russian troops.

Constitution Square in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-biggest city, photographed in March 2022 after bein (Image: GETTY)

He told Express.co.uk: "Depending on what happens with the American elections, but if we put that to one side, you may have something that looks very similar to the Marshall Plan.

"And that could be by the European Commission, [with] significant investment to try and enhance the life chances and the recovery prospects of Ukraine.

"And Ukraine would have the potential to do what Germany did post-World War II, massive recovery, massive economic uplift, because most of its infrastructure would be renewed to modern standards, meeting climate change efficiency and green efficiency.

"So Ukraine has this opportunity of wiping out all of the old stuff, which Russia is wiping out for them, and having it all replaced."

Professor Bryson added he "would hope" Ukraine will also be allowed to join NATO at the end of the conflict.

READ MORE: Struggling Russia reduces number of aerial attacks despite counter offensive

Zelensky visited Kherson after it was reconquered by Ukraine in November (Image: GETTY)

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Russia launched a full-scale invasion - described by Vladimir Putin as a "special military operation" but slammed by many as a breach of the UN charter and international laws - in February 2022.

Following Russian troops' first push, Moscow claimed to have annexed from Ukraine four regions, including Kherson, where the Kakhovka dam is located.

Ukrainian forces have been partially regaining territories over the past year, including the city of Kherson itself.

Earlier this month, Ukraine began its much-anticipated counter-offensive, powered also by weapons, ammunitions and vehicles provided by the West.