The President of Russia, Vladimir Putinsaid on Friday (5) that any western troops sent to Ukraine would be legitimate targets for Moscow attack, on a warning to the allies of Kiev while discussing measures for their future protection.
Putin spoke a day after the French president, Emmanuel Macronto state that 26 countries pledged to provide, including an international force on land, sea and air.
A Russia It has long argued that one of the reasons for getting into war in Ukraine It was to prevent NATO from admitting Kiev as a member and putting its forces in the Ukrainian territory.
“Therefore, if some troops appear there, especially now, during military operations, we start from the principle that they will be legitimate targets of destruction,”
“And if decisions are made that lead to peace, a lasting peace, then I simply see no meaning in their presence in the territory of Ukraine, the final point.”
Search for the end of the war
Putin’s comments highlighted the abyss between Moscow’s position and that of Kiev and his western allies on the form of those under any agreement to end the three and a half years war.
Ukraine seeks strong support from West to protect yourself against any future attack. France e United Kingdomwho have coalred a “coalition of the willing” in support of Ukraine, signaled that they are open to send troops to Ukraine after the end of the war.
The president of the United States, Donald TrumpHe said Washington will not send troops to the ground, but may provide another type of support, such as air force.
Putin stated that safety guarantees should be established for both Russia and Ukraine.
“I repeat once again, of course Russia will implement these agreements. But anyway, no one has discussed it with us seriously yet,” he said.
Trump, who took office in January with the promise of ending the war quickly, which made no advance.
The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskya long time ago pressures for a direct meeting with Putin to move towards the end of the deadliest war in Europe in 80 years.
Putin said on Friday (5) that he did not see much sense in such a meeting because “it will be practically impossible to reach an agreement with the Ukrainian side on key issues.”
However, he r. “I said, I’m ready, please come, we will definitely provide working conditions and safety, a 100%warranty.”
“But if they tell us, ‘We want to meet you, but you need to go elsewhere for this meeting,’ it seems to me that these are simply excessive requests for us.”
Zelensky, without directly addressing the possibility of Moscow as headquarters, said on Friday: “We are ready for any kind of meeting. But we don’t think Putin is ready to end this war. He can speak, but they are just words, and no one trusts his words.”
