Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a stark warning on Friday regarding the potential deployment of Western military forces to Ukraine, labeling them as “legitimate targets” for the Russian military. This statement comes just a day after representatives from approximately two dozen countries, spearheaded by France and the United Kingdom, committed to establishing a “reassurance” force to support any peace agreement between Kyiv and Moscow.
During an economic forum held in Vladivostok, Putin cautioned that the presence of foreign troops, particularly amid ongoing hostilities, would exacerbate tensions rather than foster a path to lasting peace. He identified Ukraine’s strengthened military alliances with the West as one of the fundamental causes of the ongoing conflict.
While Ukraine has argued that security guarantees bolstered by the presence of Western troops are essential for any credible peace deal, specific details about the proposed force—such as troop numbers or contributions from particular nations—have not been publicly disclosed.
The war, which commenced in February 2022, has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands, displaced millions, and wreaked havoc on much of eastern and southern Ukraine. Putin suggested that if a peace deal could be negotiated, there would be no necessity for foreign military presence in Ukraine. He expressed confidence that Russia would adhere to any agreements reached.
However, both Ukraine and its Western allies point to a history of Russian breaches of agreements, particularly from 2014 to 2022, when Russia-backed separatists engaged in battles against Ukrainian forces in the eastern regions of the country. This history raises skepticism about the reliability of any future commitments made by Moscow.
