The Russian government expressed its rejection of the possible deployment of the “volunteer coalition” in Ukraine, calling the initiative an inadmissible act. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that the deployment of foreign troops on Ukrainian territory—under any flag and in any capacity—constitutes a threat to the country’s security.

Consequently, Moscow made it clear that these forces will be treated as legitimate military objectives. The warning comes in response to recent statements by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and several European leaders regarding the deployment of military contingents once an agreement is reached in the current conflict.

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“In addition to strong armed forces, Ukraine needs robust support,” Rutte stated during an address to the Ukrainian Parliament. “The United States, Europe, and Canada have expressed their readiness to provide security guarantees. The volunteer coalition is making progress in developing these guarantees,” he emphasized.

“And once a peace agreement is reached, there will be armed forces, aircraft in the air, and naval support from those who agree. Other NATO members will help in other ways,” the official added, asserting that “reaching agreements to end this war will require difficult decisions.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reaffirmed in early January of this year the UK’s commitment to sending military contingents to Ukraine to carry out “deterrence” duties once a peace agreement is reached.

Following the signing of the Paris Declaration by the “coalition of volunteers,” Starmer explained that France and the UK agreed to create a network of military centers on Ukrainian territory. These facilities, which would operate after a potential peace agreement, would supposedly have the primary objective of strengthening the country’s defensive capabilities.

For his part, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the agreements reached define the pillars of future “security guarantees” for Kyiv. According to the President Putin stated that this roadmap includes the implementation of a ceasefire monitoring system led by the United States, as well as continued support for local armed forces.

Zakharova recalled that “it was the unchecked expansion of NATO’s geopolitical space to our borders, including Ukraine, that became one of the root causes of the conflict.”

Russia has maintained a special military operation in Ukraine since February 24, 2022. According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the objectives of this operation are to protect the population from “genocide by the Kyiv regime” and to reduce the national security risks posed by NATO’s advance.

Finally, the spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized that Russia is determined to neutralize the presence of troops through political or military means, considering that peace proposals that include the establishment of foreign peacekeeping forces are, in reality, incentives to maintain combat operations in the region.

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