Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed Western proposals for a so-called reassurance force in Ukraine, following a Paris summit that brought together 26 of Kyiv’s allies. The plan, championed by French President Emmanuel Macron, aimed to finalise security guarantees to be activated immediately after a potential ceasefire.
Macron said the participating countries had committed to supporting Ukraine by land, sea, or air, but he declined to name which nations were involved. He stressed that the force would not engage in direct combat with Russian troops but would instead act as a buffer to prevent renewed aggression. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the move, calling it the first concrete step toward safeguarding his country’s future.
Putin, however, swiftly rejected the initiative. Speaking at an economic forum in Vladivostok, he warned that any foreign soldiers entering Ukraine would be considered legitimate targets. “If decisions are reached that lead to long-term peace, then I do not see the point of their presence,” he said, adding that Russia would honour any agreement that produced lasting peace.
The Kremlin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, doubled down on the warning, telling the BBC that foreign troops would be viewed as a threat to Russia, especially if deployed by NATO countries. He criticised European efforts as provocative but praised former US President Donald Trump for what he called constructive attempts to mediate.
Despite these tensions, Macron underlined that the reassurance force was not about waging war against Russia. Instead, it was designed to give Ukraine confidence that any agreement reached would be respected. The United States has yet to define its exact role, though Trump suggested Washington could provide air support. Zelensky confirmed he had spoken with Trump about securing Ukraine’s skies against future attacks.
Russia’s hardline response leaves little hope for an immediate ceasefire. Kyiv maintains that halting the fighting must come before any broader peace deal, while Moscow insists that talks should only begin once its own conditions are met. Putin offered to host a summit with Zelensky in Moscow, but Ukraine and its allies have dismissed the idea, arguing that neutral ground would be more appropriate.
Western leaders accuse Russia of playing for time to seize more territory as the war enters its forty-second month. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte made clear that Moscow has no say over whether Western troops are deployed, emphasising Ukraine’s sovereignty in making that decision. Meanwhile, European diplomats warned that prematurely placing troops in Ukraine could hand Putin a propaganda victory.
The debate underscores the growing divide between Russia and the West. For Kyiv, guarantees of international protection are essential to prevent history from repeating itself. For Moscow, the presence of foreign troops would signal a direct threat. The road to peace remains blocked by mistrust, conflicting demands, and the brutal reality of ongoing fighting across Ukraine.
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