Moscow’s Ultimatum: ‘Legitimate Targets’ Warning Issued to West Over Ukraine Troop Plans

Vladimir Putin has delivered an unambiguous ultimatum to Western nations, stating that their forces would become “legitimate targets for destruction” if they set foot in Ukraine. The Russian president’s harsh rhetoric is a calculated response to a French-led initiative to establish a postwar international security presence in the country.
Speaking at an economic forum, Putin underscored that Moscow’s long-standing objections to NATO expansion would apply to any form of military deployment in Ukraine. This statement is clearly designed to intimidate European leaders and exploit their anxieties about potential escalation, thereby derailing any concrete plans for troop commitments.
The European proposal, announced by Emmanuel Macron, involves a 26-nation coalition pledging support to Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has suggested this could mean a significant force, numbering “in the thousands.” However, this ambition clashes with the reality of Western hesitation, with key allies like Germany firmly against sending soldiers.
The diplomatic front offers little hope for de-escalation. Despite vague overtures from President Donald Trump about a peace deal and a potential US-monitored buffer zone, no concrete progress has been made. Putin’s insistence that a deal is impossible, coupled with Zelenskyy’s skepticism of Moscow’s intentions, suggests that the prospect of ending the war remains remote.