Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday cautioned Europe against deploying troops to Ukraine ahead of a peace deal, warning that such an action would lead to their destruction.
Putin issued the warning at the Eastern Economic Forum after the Coalition of the Willing announced it was set to provide security guarantees for Kyiv, following President Volodymyr Zelensky’s request.
At the close of Thursday’s summit at the Élysée Palace in Paris, President Emmanuel Macron announced that allies were committed to sending assets to strengthen Ukraine’s security apparatus.
That decision could prove costly, with President Putin declaring the Kremlin’s opposition to a multinational force stationed near Russia’s borders.
“If any troops appear there, especially now, during the fighting, we assume that they will be legitimate targets for destruction,” Putin said.
The Russian president added that if ongoing interventions and talks could lead to peace, he saw no justification for an external military contingent on Ukrainian soil.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s allies are pressing ahead with preparations for a new round of sanctions against Russia as part of efforts to pressure Putin to end the conflict.
On Friday in Mississauga, Ontario, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney accused Putin of starting the war and reiterated Europe’s demand for peace.
“He’s the reason for the killing; he is not going to dictate the terms of the peace,” Carney said at a news conference.
