Putin: Any Western Forces in Ukraine Will Be a Target for the Russian Army

SadaNews - On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that any Western forces deployed in Ukraine would be a "legitimate" target for the Russian army, following a meeting of European allies of Kyiv dedicated to discussing security guarantees in the event of a peace agreement.

Putin said during an economic forum in Vladivostok, in Russia's far east: "If any forces are deployed there, especially now while battles are taking place, we will proceed from the principle that they will be legitimate targets" for the Russian army.

Putin made these comments a day after French President Emmanuel Macron stated that 26 countries had pledged to provide security guarantees after the war for Ukraine, including international forces on land, at sea, and in the air.

Putin indicated that Russia is open to cooperation with the United States in Alaska, but there is a need for a political decision from Washington to resume economic participation.

He explained that the United States has great resource potential in Alaska, while Russia possesses effective technologies for oil and gas development, according to the Reuters news agency.

The Russian president announced that he is ready to communicate with the Ukrainian side, "despite the futility of that," stressing that security guarantees have not yet been seriously discussed with Russia. Putin added, "I repeat once again, absolutely, Russia will fulfill these commitments, but in any case, no one has discussed this matter with us at a serious level yet," according to the Russian news agency Sputnik.

He continued: "If agreements are reached, no one doubts that Russia will fully implement them, and we will respect those security guarantees, which should, of course, be provided to both Russia and Ukraine." Putin stated that he is "ready to communicate with the Ukrainian side, but he does not see the point in that." He clarified: "It will be nearly impossible to reach an agreement with the Ukrainian side on the main issues, even if there is political will." Putin revealed that Kyiv had requested Moscow to communicate. He added: "Recently, the leadership of the Kyiv regime, and I'm trying to soften the wording, spoke pessimistically about us and ruled out any possibility of direct communications. Now we see that they are requesting these communications, or at least proposing them." Putin stated that Moscow is the best place to hold a high-level meeting between Russia and Ukraine. He continued: "If anyone really wants to meet us, we are ready; the best place for this is the capital of Russia, Moscow, the city of heroes."