September 5th saw Russian president Vladimir Putin warn that any Western troops sent to Ukraine could be targeted by Moscow’s forces, just a day after Kyiv’s allies pledged to provide a troop presence as part of a potential peace deal.
Two dozen countries—led by France and Britain—pledged on Thursday, September 4th, to join a “reassurance” force on land, at sea and in the air to patrol any deal. In response, Putin told an economic forum in Vladivostok
If some troops appear there, especially now during the fighting, we proceed from the premise that they will be legitimate targets.
Adding that sending such a force would undermine prospects for lasting peace, Putin stressed that Ukraine’s deepening military cooperation with the West was among the “root causes” of the conflict.
No concrete details have been disclosed by Ukraine’s partners, including troop numbers or how each nation would participate.
Kyiv says security guarantees, backed by Western troops, are crucial to any peace deal. Putin however claims that if a deal could be struck, there was no need for the troops:
If decisions are reached that will lead to peace, to long-term peace, then I simply don’t see the point in their presence on the territory of Ukraine. Because if deals are reached, let no one doubt that Russia will comply with them in full.
