Russian Official Attacks US-Europe’s Ukraine Security Guarantees

Russia has already poured cold water on Europe’s new proposals to offer Ukraine security guarantees in the event of a peace deal.

The UK and France signed a written statement on Tuesday confirming that they would send their own soldiers to Ukraine if a ceasefire is reached with Russia.

French president Emmanuel Macron said that could involve sending thousands of troops, while Keir Starmer said it paved the way for a legal framework where partner forces could “operate on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine’s skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine’s armed forces for the future”.

The US subsequently announced its own plans to help “deter” any future military attacks against the beleaguered country, and proposals to help “defend” Ukraine if its future sovereignty is at risk.

This was a major win for Kyiv and its allies, as it’s the first time the Trump administration had given firm confirmation that it would offer security guarantees.

But, Russia has already rejected the proposals – meaning it might be even less willing to participate in ongoing peace talks.

Responding for the first time since Tuesday’s meeting in Paris, foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova described the Coalition of the Willing’s statements as “militarist declarations” from an “axis of war”.

Any troops sent to Ukraine by western forces would be “legitimate combat targets,” according to the Russian foreign ministry.

The Kremlin representatives also warned that “the deployment of Western military units, military facilities, depots and other infrastructure on Ukrainian territory will be classified as foreign intervention, posing a direct threat to the security of not only Russia but also other European countries”.

According to Reuters, the ministry said: “All such units and facilities will be considered legitimate combat targets of the Russian Armed Forces.

“The fresh militaristic declarations of the so-called coalition of the willing and the Kyiv regime constitute a veritable ‘axis of war’.

“The plans of these participants are becoming increasingly dangerous and destructive for the future of the European continent and its inhabitants, who are also being forced by Western politicians to finance these aspirations out of their own pockets.”

The Russian foreign ministry has also attacked the US for seizing a Russian oil tanker in the North Atlantic – an operation which the UK assisted with in a wider crackdown on Vladimir Putin’s shadow fleet.

It said: “The landing by US troops on a civilian vessel in open sea and its actual seizure, as well as the capture of the crew cannot be interpreted as anything but a massive violation of the fundamental principles and norms of international maritime law, and also freedom of navigation.”

Despite starting the war with its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has been dragging its feet over peace talks – even when Trump offers favourable terms to Moscow.