Putin Warns Western Troops in Ukraine Would Be Legitimate Targets

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that any Western troops deployed to Ukraine, particularly during ongoing hostilities, would be considered legitimate targets by Moscow, responding to commitments from Kyiv's allies to provide a security presence post-conflict. This warning came shortly after French President Emmanuel Macron announced that 26 countries had pledged to deploy troops or maintain a presence on land, sea, and air to ensure Ukraine's security after a peace deal. Putin emphasized that the deployment of foreign forces in Ukraine is one of the root causes of the conflict, linked to Ukraine's closer military ties with NATO, and stated that if a peace agreement is reached, there would be no need for such forces on Ukrainian soil. He also asserted that Russia would fully comply with any peace agreements and that security guarantees must be developed for both Russia and Ukraine. Kyiv insists on robust Western-backed security guarantees to prevent future Russian offensives, while some Western leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, have expressed reluctance to deploy troops on the ground but may offer other forms of support. The stark contrast between Moscow's position and that of Ukraine and its allies highlights the challenges in negotiating the terms of future security arrangements in the conflict.