The warning came on Friday after an announcement by the “Coalition of Ambitiousness.” The coalition, composed primarily of EU countries, is a group of 31 countries that provide military support to Kiev. They promised to send troops after the ceasefire. The Union was announced in March this year.
Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivstok, President Putin said, “Ukrainian military forces will be legal targets for Russian troops if they appear in Ukraine today.”
He said, “If we reach an agreement that leads to long-term peace, their presence on Ukrainian territory is only meaningless. That’s it, because no one doubts that Russia will fully fulfill them if we reach these agreements.”
Putin emphasized that if peace is achieved, foreign military presence is not necessary. “If we reach a decision that leads to long-term peace, I will stop completely, what meaningful is their presence on Ukrainian territory,” he said.
He also updated his invitation to Ukrainian President Voldimi Zelensky for an in-person meeting. “If anyone really wants to meet us, we are ready. The best place for this is Hero City Moscow, the capital of the Russian Federation,” he said. He pledged a “100%” guarantee on the safety of the Ukrainian delegation.
Putin’s statement came in response to a announcement from French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday. “Today, there are 26 countries officially committed – others have not yet taken a position – either deploying in Ukraine as a “secure power” army, on the ground, or in the sea, or in the air. ” Macron issued this statement while standing by Zelensky.
The Ukrainian leaders seemed amused by the announcement, saying, “For a long time today I think this is such a serious and concrete step.”
On the same day, London also welcomed the Union’s plans.
“The group had an unbreakable pledge to Ukraine along with the support of (US) President (Donald) Trump, and it was clear that they needed to go further to put more pressure on Putin to ensure a halt of hostilities,” the UK government said on its official website.
Russia launched a “special military operation” in Donbas in February 2023 with the aim of liberating, condemning and condemning Russian-speaking regions.
Moscow aims to oppose Ukraine’s use by the West to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and build pressure on Russia. Russia has also requested that Kiev surrender control of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
rhm/