Moscow: The Kremlin has sharply condemned suggestions of foreign military forces being stationed in Ukraine, branding the idea “absolutely unacceptable” and warning that it poses a direct threat to regional stability.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that Moscow will not even consider discussions on the subject. “The deployment of any foreign troops on Ukrainian territory cannot be a matter of negotiation. It is a destabilizing and provocative move,” she declared, responding to growing debate within Europe on security guarantees for Kyiv.
The remarks came after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen revealed that the European Union is drafting a framework that could include a multinational force to bolster Ukraine’s defense in the future. She said the initiative, backed by Washington, is meant to give Kyiv stronger long-term assurances against renewed Russian aggression.
However, not all European powers are on the same page. Germany’s defense minister publicly distanced Berlin from the plan, describing the proposal as premature and cautioning against steps that could escalate the war further. This divergence highlights a growing split in Western capitals over how far to go in extending military commitments to Ukraine.
Moscow’s opposition reflects its longstanding stance against NATO-linked deployments anywhere near its borders. The Kremlin has previously labeled Western security proposals as “one-sided” and dangerous, accusing them of ignoring Russia’s legitimate concerns. President Vladimir Putin has consistently demanded that Ukraine remain outside NATO, adopt neutrality, and withdraw from contested areas such as the Donbas.
At a recent secretive summit in Alaska, Putin reportedly laid out strict peace conditions among them, Ukraine abandoning its NATO ambitions and pledging not to host Western troops. In exchange, Moscow hinted at limited concessions but offered no indication of full withdrawal from occupied territories.
The latest Russian rejection underscores the widening gulf between European aspirations for long-term security guarantees for Ukraine and Moscow’s red lines. While Brussels seeks to frame new guarantees, Moscow has made clear that any foreign troop deployment will only harden its position and prolong the stalemate.