Putin Vows to Target Western Troops if Sent to Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that any Western forces deployed to Ukraine would be considered “legitimate targets” for Russia’s military. His comments came Friday at an economic forum in Vladivostok, a day after Kyiv’s allies announced plans to send troops as part of a potential peace agreement. On Thursday, 26 countries led by France and Britain pledged to join a “reassurance force” on land, at sea, and in the air to monitor any eventual peace deal. The war, which began in February 2022, has already claimed tens of thousands of lives, displaced millions, and devastated much of Ukraine’s east and south. “If some troops appear there, especially now during the fighting, we proceed from the premise that they will be legitimate targets,” Putin said, insisting that foreign deployments would not foster long-term peace. He also blamed Ukraine’s growing military […]
