Putin threatens destruction of foreign contingent in Ukraine and immediate resumption of war

Defensive contingent to become target for strikes

Vladimir Putin categorically stated that the presence of any foreign military formations on Ukrainian territory is unacceptable to Russia. According to him, if such forces are deployed in Ukraine after a peace agreement is signed, they will automatically become a legitimate target for the Russian Armed Forces.

“Будь-яка присутність іноземних військ на українській території для Росії неприйнятна. Якщо такі сили будуть введені, вони автоматично стануть для нас легітимною ціллю, і бойові дії почнуться заново. Ми розцінюємо це як пряму загрозу безпеці Росії. Європейські лідери це прекрасно розуміють. Тому, коли вони говорять про введення військ одразу після укладення миру, це означає лише одне — негайне відновлення війни” (Any presence of foreign troops on Ukrainian territory is unacceptable to Russia. If such forces are deployed, they will automatically become a legitimate target for us, and hostilities will begin anew. We regard this as a direct threat to Russia's security. European leaders understand this perfectly well. Therefore, when they talk about deploying troops immediately after a peace deal is signed, it means only one thing — the immediate resumption of war), the Russian leader emphasised during a conversation with Witkoff and Kushner.

Warning of immediate escalation

Putin stressed that Moscow views the possible deployment of foreign troops as a direct threat to its security. He claims that European politicians are aware of these consequences, meaning their proposals to deploy troops immediately after the signing of a peace agreement effectively imply the immediate resumption of war.