Moscow: The Kremlin has strongly criticized French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent statement suggesting that European Union troops could be deployed in Ukraine after a peace agreement is reached.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov condemned Macron’s remarks, stating that they indicate France is considering prolonging the war rather than working towards peace.
"With all due respect, there are many diplomatic mistakes in Macron’s statement," Peskov said. He added that the French president’s speech did not reflect the stance of a leader genuinely seeking peace.
Meanwhile, Russia’s state news agency TASS reported that Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also warned against any deployment of EU forces in Ukraine. Lavrov stated that such a move would be seen as a direct military confrontation between European nations and Russia.
"Russia will consider the presence of European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine the same way it views NATO troops," Lavrov asserted, calling Macron’s remarks a direct threat against Russia.
Macron, in his speech, argued that Europe no longer trusts Russian leaders and that EU troops could serve as a guarantee for maintaining a potential peace agreement.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that after a ceasefire, he would support sending troops on the ground.
These statements from European leaders come in the wake of the United States reportedly limiting its intelligence-sharing with Ukraine. European leaders are set to meet in Brussels today for an emergency summit to discuss the evolving situation.
