At the economic forum in Vladivostok, Russian President Vladimir Putin dropped a bombshell: any Western troops sent to Ukraine would be "legitimate targets" for Moscow. ⚠️
This warning follows French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement that 26 countries pledged postwar security guarantees for Ukraine, including an international force on land, sea and air. France and Britain, behind a "coalition of the willing," are open to deploying troops after the fighting stops, while the U.S. prefers air support over boots on the ground.
Russia has long seen NATO’s potential move into Kyiv as a red line. "Therefore, if some troops appear there… these will be legitimate targets for destruction," Putin said. He also stressed that any security deal should protect Russia too — though he admitted no serious talks have happened yet.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pushed for direct talks with Putin. The Russian leader, skeptical that key issues can be resolved, offered to host Zelenskyy in Moscow with full security guarantees but called other venue requests "excessive."
Zelenskyy didn’t back down: "We are ready for any kind of meetings. But we don’t feel that Putin is ready to end this war. He can speak but it’s just words." 💬
With Western allies debating their next steps and Ukraine seeking stronger safeguards, the high-stakes chess game continues. Stay tuned! 👀
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Putin says Western troops in Ukraine would be legitimate targets
cgtn.com
