Putin warns Western troops in Ukraine would be legitimate targets

Friday 05 September 2025 - 13:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Putin warns Western troops in Ukraine would be legitimate targets

Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a stern warning on Friday, declaring that any Western troops deployed in Ukraine would be considered "legitimate targets" for Russian forces. His remarks came as a direct challenge to an emerging international coalition that plans to provide security guarantees for Kyiv after the war.

Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Putin stated, "If any troops appear there, especially now during the fighting, we assume they will be legitimate targets." His warning followed the announcement by French President Emmanuel Macron that 26 countries had committed to offering security guarantees for Ukraine, including a potential international force to monitor peace efforts after hostilities cease.

Putin rejects Western security plans

Putin’s comments represented a clear rejection of the Western-led "Coalition of Volunteers" initiative, which was discussed at a summit in Paris involving European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The Russian president dismissed the need for foreign military presence in Ukraine, asserting that “if decisions are made that lead to peace, a lasting peace, then I just see no point in their presence on Ukrainian territory.”

The coalition, co-chaired by France and the United Kingdom, includes pledges from European nations to deploy what Macron described as a "reassurance force" aimed at deterring future aggression from Russia. While specific details remain unclear, this force would not engage in combat operations but focus on peacekeeping and monitoring agreements once a resolution is reached.

International response and U.S. involvement

The European initiative has received cautious backing from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who participated in discussions with coalition leaders following the Paris summit. A White House official noted that Trump emphasized the need for European leaders to exert economic pressure on China for its financial support of Russia’s war efforts. He also urged Europe to reduce its dependency on Russian oil.

However, several coalition members have clarified their limitations. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that Italy would not send troops to Ukraine but could assist in monitoring ceasefire arrangements and training Ukrainian forces outside the country. Germany, meanwhile, indicated that it would withhold decisions on military involvement until specifics, particularly regarding U.S. participation, become clearer.

Rising tensions

Putin’s warning comes amid stalled diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. The Russian leader previously described peace agreements with Ukraine as "practically impossible" on key issues and reiterated that Russia remains willing to achieve its objectives "by military means" if necessary.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reinforced Russia’s stance, telling state media that security guarantees "cannot be provided by foreign military contingents, especially European and American ones." Moscow has long cited NATO's eastward expansion and Ukraine’s potential membership as key reasons for its February 2022 invasion.

These developments underscore the widening rift between Western security strategies and Russian demands, suggesting that a path to lasting peace remains elusive despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.