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 hostilities cease. However, Putin quashed this initiative with a stern warning that any foreign troops deployed in Ukraine would be considered 'legitimate targets,' particularly if they appeared before an agreement was finalized.
The prospect of a ceasefire appears bleak after last month's summit in Alaska between Putin and US President Donald Trump, which briefly raised hopes for a potential peace deal with Ukraine's leader, Volodymyr Zelensky.
Putin revealed on Friday that he is open to discussions with Zelensky but expressed skepticism about the feasibility of reaching consensus on the key issues at stake.
Western leaders, spearheaded by the UK and France, are working towards military assistance for Ukraine and a potential reassurance force to patrol any agreed-upon ceasefire.
Macron emphasized that any troop deployment would aim to prevent further aggression rather than engage directly with Russian forces. Zelensky hailed the decisions made at the Paris meeting as promising steps forward.
US involvement has remained ambiguous, though indications from Trump suggest air support could be on the table. Trump claims to maintain a 'good dialogue' with Putin.
Amidst these developments, Kyiv insists that a ceasefire should precede any wider peace dialogue, a stance that Russia does not support.
During his statements at an economic forum, Putin insisted that peace through negotiation should not necessitate foreign troop presence in Ukraine. Nonetheless, he reiterated Russia's military agenda continues to progress on all fronts. His invitation for Kyiv to negotiate in Moscow was dismissed by Zelensky as lacking sincerity, further complicating diplomatic avenues.
As tensions escalate, Putin continues to position Russia's military advancements as proactive while pushing back against Western criticism of its ongoing actions in Ukraine.
