Kremlin rejects European troop deployment in Ukraine peace talks

Wednesday 27 August 2025 - 13:50

By: Sahili Aya

Kremlin rejects European troop deployment in Ukraine peace talks

The Kremlin declared on Wednesday that it is “unfavorable” to the possible deployment of European troops in Ukraine as part of a potential peace agreement, underscoring the deep divisions that continue to hinder negotiations aimed at ending the conflict.

While diplomatic efforts have intensified in recent weeks under the mediation of U.S. President Donald Trump, Moscow made clear that discussions about European troops on Ukrainian soil are not acceptable. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stressed that “there is no European army, only national armies, most of which belong to NATO,” an alliance Russia accuses of fueling tensions at its borders.

Ukraine, for its part, insists that no agreement is possible without strong security guarantees from Western allies, fearing another Russian offensive in the future. President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is ready to meet Vladimir Putin, but Moscow has ruled out such a summit for now, questioning Zelensky’s legitimacy.

The Kremlin’s demands remain unchanged: Ukraine must renounce NATO membership and recognize Russian control over Crimea and four partially occupied regions. Kyiv has categorically rejected these conditions, calling them unacceptable.

On the battlefield, Russia announced the capture of a village near Pokrovsk in Donetsk, while Ukraine reported deadly Russian strikes in the southern region of Kherson, which killed three civilians and damaged energy infrastructure.

Despite ongoing mediation attempts, the prospect of a peace deal still appears distant, as both sides cling to irreconcilable positions.