Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued his starkest warning yet regarding the involvement of foreign troops in Ukraine, declaring that any such deployments before a peace agreement is signed will be treated as "legitimate targets" by Moscow’s forces. The statement, delivered on September 5, 2025, during a panel at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, has sent ripples through diplomatic circles and reignited debate over the future of international security guarantees for Ukraine.
Putin’s remarks come at a particularly sensitive time, as European leaders reaffirm their commitment to a potential peacekeeping force for Ukraine—a prospect that Moscow has repeatedly branded as "unacceptable." According to AP News, Putin emphasized, "If any troops appear there, especially now while fighting is ongoing, we assume that they will be legitimate targets." He didn’t mince words about the consequences, signaling a willingness to escalate should foreign forces enter the conflict zone before a formal peace is reached.
The Russian leader also addressed the possibility of international peacekeepers being stationed in Ukraine after a final settlement. While he dismissed the idea of such a force during ongoing hostilities, Putin asserted that once a treaty is signed, "no one should doubt" Moscow’s intention to comply with its terms to halt the 3½-year full-scale invasion. However, he was quick to add that security guarantees would be required for both Russia and Ukraine, not just one side. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov later clarified that Moscow would insist on "legally binding documents" to define these guarantees, telling Argumenty i Fakty, "Of course, you can't just take anybody's word for something."
These comments were issued in the wake of a major diplomatic push by France. French President Emmanuel Macron, following a meeting in Paris with the so-called "coalition of the willing"—a group of 35 countries supportive of Ukraine—announced that 26 of Ukraine’s allies had pledged to deploy troops as a "reassurance force" once fighting ceases. Macron clarified, according to BBC, that while not all states may send troops directly, many would contribute by equipping Ukrainian forces externally.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking at the Ambrosetti Forum, argued that security guarantees must "start working now, during the war, and not only after it ends." He refrained from sharing further details, citing the sensitive military nature of the discussions. Nonetheless, Zelenskyy stressed the urgency of international backing, stating that deployments "will definitely be in the thousands, not just a few." The Ukrainian government’s position is clear: only robust and immediate security guarantees can provide the confidence needed to pursue a sustainable peace.
The debate over foreign troops and security guarantees is unfolding against a backdrop of ongoing violence. On the night of September 4-5, Russian troops launched a massive attack on Ukraine, deploying 157 strike and decoy drones and seven missiles, as reported by Ukraine’s Air Force. Ukrainian air defenses managed to shoot down or jam 121 of the drones, but not before significant damage was inflicted in several regions. In Dnipro, central Ukraine, multiple residential buildings were damaged and an unspecified facility was set alight. Regional administration head Serhii Lysak described the aftermath: "Private homes were damaged. Windows in apartment buildings were shattered." Photos shared on social media showed shattered glass and residents boarding up broken windows.
The Chernihiv region north of Kyiv also suffered, with Russian drones targeting infrastructure in the Novhorod-Siversk district and leaving at least 15 settlements without electricity. Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed it had destroyed 92 Ukrainian drones overnight. The conflict’s reach extended beyond Ukraine’s borders as well—local media in Ryazan, Russia, reported that drone debris had fallen on an industrial enterprise, with video footage showing a fire at the Rosneft oil refinery. Governor Pavel Malkov confirmed the incident but cautioned residents against posting images of air defenses online.
Diplomatic efforts to resolve the war remain fraught with tension. The United States, under President Donald Trump, has expressed mounting frustration with the lack of progress in peace talks. After the August 2025 Alaska summit with Putin, Trump voiced disappointment, lamenting, "Looks like we’ve lost India and Russia, to deepest, darkest China." The growing closeness between Russia, India, and China reflects a broader geopolitical realignment, further complicating Western strategies. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov suggested that a new Trump-Putin meeting could be organized quickly, though skepticism remains high about the prospects for meaningful breakthroughs.
Amid these diplomatic maneuvers, the European Union and the United States are moving forward with expanded sanctions against Russia. European Council President Antonio Costa confirmed that work has begun on a new sanctions package, coordinated with Washington, aiming to increase economic pressure on Moscow as Russia’s economy shows signs of recession. The EU’s push for new sanctions, as noted by Reuters, underscores the West’s continued resolve, even as divisions persist among member states over the best path forward.
The situation on the ground remains volatile. Ukraine has stepped up attacks on Russian oil infrastructure, which it claims fuels Moscow’s war effort. Gas stations in parts of Russia have run dry, with motorists enduring long lines and officials resorting to rationing or halting sales. These strikes have also disrupted shipments along the Druzhba pipeline to Slovakia, prompting protests from Bratislava. In a rare meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, Zelenskyy defended Ukraine’s actions, insisting that "Russian oil, like Russian gas, has no future" in Europe. Fico, for his part, struck a conciliatory note, affirming Slovakia’s support for Ukraine’s EU bid but also emphasizing each country’s right to defend its national interests.
The war in Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022, has already claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions. Despite the heavy toll, there is little sign of compromise on either side. Putin’s insistence that the conflict is a "special military operation" to demilitarize Ukraine has been met with skepticism and condemnation in the West, which has responded with harsh sanctions and military support for Kyiv.
As the debate over foreign security guarantees intensifies, the risk of escalation looms large. Moscow views any foreign military involvement as a red line, while Ukraine maintains that such guarantees are essential for lasting peace. The coming weeks are likely to see further diplomatic wrangling, military posturing, and, unfortunately, continued suffering for civilians caught in the crossfire.
For now, the prospect of foreign troops in Ukraine remains a flashpoint—one that could either lay the groundwork for a durable peace or trigger a dangerous new phase in the conflict.
