Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected Western plans to send foreign troops to Ukraine after any future ceasefire. The idea, discussed at a Paris summit led by French President Emmanuel Macron, is for 26 allies of Ukraine to provide security guarantees once the fighting stops. These troops, called a “reassurance force,” would help protect Ukraine and prevent new attacks.
Macron said the force would not fight against Russia but would keep the peace. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the plan, calling it a first real step, and said thousands of foreign troops could eventually be deployed. The United States has not given details, but President Donald Trump hinted that U.S. support might focus on air protection.
Putin, however, strongly opposed the idea. He warned that any foreign soldiers in Ukraine would be “legitimate targets” for Russian forces, especially if they appeared before a peace deal.
He said he was open to talks with Zelensky but saw little chance of agreement because of “key issues.” Putin also offered to host a summit in Moscow, but Ukraine dismissed this, saying Russia only wanted Ukraine to surrender.
Western countries believe Russia is delaying peace talks to gain more land while the war continues. At the same time, Putin has been showing unity with China’s Xi Jinping and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un.
For now, a ceasefire looks far away. Ukraine insists that fighting must stop first, while Russia wants wider political guarantees before any truce. The gap between the two sides remains large, and foreign leaders doubt Putin’s promises.
-Peace News Desk