On Thursday, days after France and Britain pledged to send troops to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal, Russia further reinforced its long-standing position declaring Western forces in Ukraine “legitimate targets.”
“The Russian Foreign Ministry has warned that the deployment of military units, military installations, warehouses and other infrastructure of Western countries on the territory of Ukraine is classified as foreign intervention,” Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement.
She was responding to a “declaration of intent” signed by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday at the latest meeting of the so-called coalition, in which they agreed to deploy multinational forces to guarantee Ukraine’s security.
Russia has long opposed the presence of Western troops in Ukraine. “These warnings have been reiterated at the highest level and remain relevant,” Zakharova said, characterizing the agreement reached by Ukraine’s allies as “a new declaration of militarism.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenkshi has long insisted that Western allies provide strong security as part of any peace deal to deter future Russian aggression.
The exact nature of the guarantees that Europe and the United States are prepared to provide have gradually taken shape over several months of meetings. Mr Starmer said Tuesday’s agreement set out the legal framework to allow British and French troops to operate in Ukraine, after both countries had previously announced their intention to send troops to the country.
President Zelenskiy said on Thursday that after further negotiations in France on Wednesday, the security agreement is now “substantially ready to be finalized at the highest level with the President of the United States.”
But even if the U.S., Europe and Ukraine reach their own agreement, Moscow’s statement underscores how far apart the blocs remain in these negotiations.
Russia has stepped up its attacks in recent weeks, targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and cutting off power during the coldest winter months.
Authorities in Kiev warned residents on Thursday to stock up on water, batteries and warm clothing in case of further attacks as temperatures plunged to minus 20 degrees Celsius (minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit).
Starmer said on Tuesday: “A peace deal can only be reached if President Putin is willing to compromise.” “Contrary to Russia’s words, President Putin has not shown that he is ready for peace.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
