MWE Correspondent
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that any foreign troops deployed to Ukraine as part of Western security guarantees would be considered “legitimate targets” for Russian forces.
Putin made the remarks on September 5, 2025, during the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. His statement came just a day after a coalition of European and allied nations pledged to create a multinational force that could move into Ukraine following a ceasefire. The initiative, supported by leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron, was intended to reassure Kyiv that it would not be left vulnerable once the fighting ends.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the proposal, saying the deployment of troops from allied nations would demonstrate genuine commitment to protecting his country’s sovereignty. European officials described the force as a stabilizing measure, designed to prevent Russia from reigniting the war after peace is declared.
Putin, however, rejected the idea outright. He argued that any foreign presence in Ukraine—before or after a peace agreement—would not contribute to stability but instead risk triggering direct clashes with Moscow. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov echoed that sentiment, calling the Western plan “unacceptable” and accusing its backers of escalating tensions.
Also Read; Deadly Landslide Hits Sudan’s Marrah Mountains Region
The debate reflects a deeper question over Ukraine’s long-term security. Kyiv and its allies argue that verbal assurances are not enough, recalling the Budapest Memorandum, a 1994 agreement that promised Ukraine protection in exchange for giving up its nuclear arsenal. That deal collapsed in practice when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, leaving Ukrainians deeply wary of non-binding pledges.
For Russia, however, security talks must return to earlier frameworks, such as the Istanbul negotiations of 2022, where the Kremlin insisted on Ukraine adopting neutrality and dropping its bid to join NATO. Putin maintains those terms remain the only realistic foundation for peace.
Meanwhile, the war continues to exact a heavy toll. In recent weeks, Russian missile and drone strikes have targeted Ukrainian cities including Dnipro and Chernihiv, destroying homes and damaging power facilities. These attacks have reinforced Kyiv’s demand for reliable, enforceable guarantees—arguing that without them, any future agreement risks repeating past failures.
