Russia has once again struck Ukraine with a wave of missile attacks, while Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that any foreign soldier engaged in Ukraine will be considered a “legitimate target.”
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that the country was attacked by 91 Russian drones. No casualties have been reported so far, but investigations are ongoing.
Putin’s hardline stance comes as Kyiv’s Western allies convene to coordinate a security force to guarantee Ukraine’s safety.
“If any soldier appears there, especially now that fighting is ongoing, we will consider them legitimate targets,” Putin said at an economic forum held on September 5 in Vladivostok.
Putin’s warning underscores his uncompromising position, which has stalled efforts to negotiate a peace agreement in Ukraine, including discussions from a summit between the Russian and U.S. presidents, Donald Trump, in Alaska.
His comments came just one day after the so-called “Coalition of Willing” pledged a security force for Ukraine, and after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed to continue retaliating against Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, despite criticism from Slovakia and Hungary—both buyers of Russian oil.
In Vladivostok, Russia, Putin downplayed the significance of meeting Zelensky, but suggested he could meet him in a neutral location.
“The best place is the Russian capital, the city of heroes, Moscow,” Putin said.
Zelensky and other Western officials described this proposal as unserious.
“He [Putin] can come to Kyiv,” Zelensky told ABC News.
“I cannot go to Moscow while my country is being attacked by missiles every day. I cannot go to the capital of this terrorist. Putin understands this,” he added.
These statements followed several high-level meetings in China earlier in the week, which made it clear to the Russian leader that he is not isolated on the world stage, despite severed ties with the West following the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022.
The U.S. President has repeatedly expressed deep disappointment with Putin while attempting to mediate an end to the war. Ultimatums have been issued, and additional sanctions against Russia have been threatened if a peace agreement is not reached.
The war in Ukraine began on February 24, 2022.
Putin refers to the conflict as a “special military operation” aimed at demilitarizing Ukraine.
The West has responded with severe economic sanctions against Russia.
As a result of the war, thousands of people have died, and millions have been displaced from their homes.
