In brief
During an economic forum in Vladivostok, President Putin firmly rejected Western plans for a reassurance force to be deployed in Ukraine after any ceasefire. French President Macron had previously indicated that 26 allies were willing to send troops to bolster Ukraine's security. Putin warned that foreign troops would be seen as threats, challenging the potential for peace and suggesting that any lasting agreement requires the removal of such forces. Amidst this, Putin expressed a willingness to negotiate directly with Ukrainian President Zelensky, yet emphasized the challenges in achieving a consensus on critical issues.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected Western proposals for a reassurance force in Ukraine the day after any ceasefire comes into place, following a Paris summit aimed at finalizing plans for security guarantees.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that 26 of Ukraine's allies had committed to deploying troops by land, sea or air to help provide security once fighting ceases. However, the exact nations involved in this pledge were not disclosed.
In response, Putin warned that any troops deployed to Ukraine would be legitimate targets, particularly if they were to arrive imminently, even though there are no current plans for immediate troop deployment.
Currently, prospects for a ceasefire seem bleak. Following a summit that raised hopes for a peace deal, Putin expressed skepticism about the feasibility of reaching an agreement with Ukraine, stating he saw little point in dialogue due to the difficulty of aligning on key issues.
Putin's spokesperson criticized European countries for allegedly prolonging the conflict, while emphasizing that Russia is ready for a bilateral summit with Ukraine, asserting that Moscow is not pursuing Ukrainian capitulation but rather open discussions.
Macron maintained that the purpose of the proposed troops would be to prevent any new major aggression and not to engage directly with Russian forces. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky referred to the decisions made at the Paris meeting as significant progress in international support for Ukraine.
As the situation develops, it remains uncertain how commitments from allied nations will manifest and what implications they may have on the ground in Ukraine.
