Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that any deployment of Western forces in Ukraine would be considered a “legitimate target” for the Russian military.
The statement comes one day after Kyiv’s allies pledged to deploy troops to Ukraine should a peace agreement be reached to end the ongoing conflict.
Key developments:
- Western commitment: Dozens of countries, led by France and the UK, have pledged to provide a security force on land, sea, or air to monitor a potential peace deal.
- Putin’s warning: Speaking at an economic forum in Vladivostok, Putin said, “If some troops were to appear there, especially during active fighting, we would treat them as legitimate targets.”
- Conflict drivers: Putin added that closer ties between Ukraine’s military and Western nations are among the main causes of the conflict, in his view.
- Lack of details: Kyiv’s allies have not revealed specifics, including troop numbers or the exact roles of participating countries.
- Ukrainian stance: Ukraine emphasizes that security guarantees supported by Western troops are essential for any peace deal to prevent future Russian offensives.
Since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, tens of thousands have been killed and millions displaced, with significant destruction in eastern and southern Ukraine.
Putin noted that if a long-term peace agreement is reached, the presence of foreign troops would not be necessary. “If decisions are made that lead to lasting peace, I simply do not see a reason for their presence in Ukraine,” he said.
However, Ukraine and Western officials highlight repeated violations by Russia, including the 2014–2022 conflict period when Moscow-backed separatists fought Ukrainian forces in the east.
