Russian President Vladimir Putin said any Western troops in Ukraine would be fair targets for Russian forces, a clear warning to NATO and the U.S. as debate continues over security guarantees for Kyiv.
Speaking in Vladivostok on Friday, Mr. Putin dismissed the idea of a permanent security force remaining in Ukraine after any peace agreement is reached and said sending troops there now would be dangerous.
“If some troops appear there, especially now, during military operations, we proceed from the fact that these will be legitimate targets for destruction,” Mr. Putin said. “And if decisions are reached that lead to peace, to long-term peace, then I simply do not see any sense in their presence on the territory of Ukraine, full stop.”
Russia’s anxiety over foreign troops in Ukraine was central to its justification for invading the country in 2022. Since then, Mr. Putin has insisted that any peace agreement would include guarantees against NATO’s further expansion east to include Ukraine.
Ukraine, for its part, has demanded that any robust peace agreement must include security guarantees to prevent further attacks from Russia.
Mr. Putin’s warning comes one day after 26 nations agreed to provide Ukraine with post-war security guarantees. The agreement also includes international air, land and sea forces.
Not all countries have agreed to send troops to Ukraine once a peace deal is finalized, with Germany waiting to commit to military support until the extent of U.S. security guarantees is clarified.
President Trump has insisted that the U.S. will continue to provide material support for Ukraine, including necessary defensive equipment, but has ruled out putting U.S. troops on the ground.
Peace negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv are at a standstill following Mr. Trump’s summit with Mr. Putin in Alaska last month. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was not present at the talks, and the meeting ended without a breakthrough.
On Friday, Mr. Putin was pessimistic that further direct talks with Ukraine would yield results, because both sides are so far apart in demands. Still, Mr. Putin said he is prepared to meet with Ukrainian diplomats in Moscow and would provide adequate security.
• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.