Putin threatens Western forces with “defeat” if it is deployed in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Friday that Western military staff deployed in Ukraine would become “legitimate defeat objectives”, increasing new threats against the idea of ​​international peace soldiers once a cease-fire will be achieved.

“This is one of the deep causes (of war): trying to involve Ukraine in NATO,” said Putin, speaking during an economic forum in the Far East in Russia. “So, if troops appear there, especially during the ongoing hostilities, we assume that they will be legitimate objectives of defeat.”

His remarks one day came after European countries and the Allied nations reported support for a coordinated post-war mission. During a rally in Paris, the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that 26 countries had engaged in security guarantees for kyiv, commitments that could involve military contributions “in the sky, in the sea and on the ground”. French President Emmanuel Macron described commitments as potential deployments “on land, sea or air” once hostilities have ceased.

Talk to a stall and a smiling poutine. Weak guarantees will only invite more Russian strikes

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Friday that Western military staff deployed in Ukraine would become “legitimate defeat objectives”, increasing new threats against the idea of ​​international peace soldiers once a cease-fire will be achieved. (Contributor / Getty Images)

Putin replied that if Moscow and kyiv were able to finalize a political settlement, foreign soldiers would only complicate questions. “If decisions are made that lead to long-term peace, I simply see no reason for their presence on Ukrainian territory,” he said. “Because if such agreements are concluded, there is no doubt that Russia fully implements them.”

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov echoes the Russian chief’s long-standing grievances with NATO, throwing Western guarantees for Ukraine as equivalent to pushing the alliance to the east.

“What was one of the profound causes of this conflict? It is when the foundations of security guarantees for our country began to be eroded, when Ukraine was attracted by NATO, and when the military infrastructure of NATO began to go to our borders,” said Peskov, according to the Russian state media. He added that any regulation would require guarantees “in the United States and Ukrainians”.

Russia explodes again the concept of Western troops in Ukraine before Trump’s call with Zelenskyy, European leaders

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that 26 countries had engaged in security guarantees for kyiv, promises that could involve military contributions “in the sky, in the sea and on the ground”. (Danylo Antoniuk / Anadolu via Getty Images)

Kremlin’s statements followed a week of high-level diplomacy for Putin, who went to Beijing to appear alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. From China, Putin revealed that US President Donald Trump had asked him to engage directly with Zelenskyy to end the war.

“Donald asked me if it was possible to hold such a meeting. I said yes, it is possible. In the end, if Zelensky is ready, let him come to Moscow. Such a meeting will take place,” said Putin. He then promised to ensure the security of the Ukrainian chief of the Russian capital.

The Ukrainian soldiers from the 44th artillery brigade draw a self -propelled Bohdana belly to the Russian positions on the front line of the Zaporizhzhia region, in Ukraine, while peace talks are dragging. (Photo Danylo Antoniuk / AP)

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Zelenskyy publicly rejected the offer, arguing that Moscow was once again trying to delay serious negotiations. “Our American partners told me that Putin had invited me to Moscow. In my opinion, if someone wanted the meeting to take place, they should invite me to Moscow,” Zelenskyy said on Thursday.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha, insisted that kyiv is ready for direct talks but only on neutral land. “Currently, at least seven countries are ready to organize a meeting between the leaders of Ukraine and Russia to end the war-Austria, the Holy See, Switzerland, Türkiye and three Gulf states,” he wrote on social networks.