Fri Sep 05 08:14:38 UTC 2025: ## Putin Threatens Foreign Troops in Ukraine, Rejects Western Security Plan
**Vladivostok, Russia** – President Vladimir Putin has issued a stark warning against a proposal by Ukraine’s allies to deploy foreign troops as security guarantees following any potential peace agreement with Russia. He declared that any such forces on Ukrainian soil would be considered “legitimate targets” for the Russian military.
Putin’s comments, made at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, come a day after 26 nations, dubbed the “coalition of the willing,” pledged to provide troops to deter future Russian aggression in the event of a peace deal brokered by figures such as Donald Trump. The commitment of the United States, however, remains uncertain.
“If some troops appear there, especially now during the fighting, we proceed from the premise that they will be legitimate targets,” Putin stated. He further argued that the presence of foreign troops would not contribute to long-term peace and reiterated his claim that Ukraine’s growing military ties with the West are a primary driver of the ongoing conflict.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov echoed Putin’s sentiments, stating that the Paris summit proposal was “definitely not” acceptable. He warned that the presence of international or NATO forces near Russia’s border would be viewed as a direct threat. Peskov instead pointed to the 2022 Istanbul agreements, which envisioned a neutral, nuclear-free Ukraine in exchange for security assurances from major powers, as a viable security framework.
The Paris summit, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, aimed to demonstrate Europe’s ability to act independently of the United States, particularly in light of Trump’s recent direct talks with Putin. The summit proposed a “reassurance” force to patrol Ukraine and enforce any future peace agreement, citing Russia’s past violations of agreements as justification.
While Trump has indicated that the U.S. might offer support such as air power, the extent of U.S. involvement in the proposed security arrangement remains unclear. Putin emphasized that security guarantees are needed for both Russia and Ukraine, adding that “no one has discussed this with us at a serious level yet.”
Following the Paris summit, Trump reportedly plans to speak with Putin soon, with the Kremlin indicating that such a call could be organized quickly. The potential for a shift in U.S. policy under Trump has fueled concerns about the future of Ukraine and the delicate balance of power in Eastern Europe.
First Piper 