Putin Warns Western Troops in Ukraine Would Be Targeted

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that any Western troops deployed to Ukraine would be treated as legitimate targets by Moscow’s forces, a threat that underscores rising tensions between Russia and the West.

Speaking on Friday at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Putin said foreign forces entering Ukraine even under the guise of peacekeeping or security guarantees would not be immune from attack.

He insisted that such a move would amount to direct participation in the conflict.

His comments came a day after 26 nations, led by France and Britain, pledged to provide Ukraine with international security guarantees. The plan, discussed at a summit in Paris, included the possible deployment of a multinational reassurance force by land, sea, and air.

Putin cautioned that Russia would not tolerate such deployments during active hostilities, stressing that they would be legitimate military targets.