MOSCOW, July 15 - The Russian government on Wednesday declared that it would not accept the deployment of multinational military contingents to Ukrainian territory following a ceasefire or peace agreement, warning that such units would be seen as an escalation and could be targeted.
The statement came after Western partners who identify themselves as a "coalition of the willing" gathered in Paris this week and recommitted to plans to station a post-conflict stabilisation force in Ukraine. Those allies said the force - referred to as the Multinational Force for Ukraine (MNF-U) - is intended to reassure Ukraine and assist in regenerating its armed forces once hostilities stop. They also indicated that exercises will be held in the coming months to demonstrate the MNF-U's capability to operate.
Speaking to reporters, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova made Moscow's position explicit. She said: "In this context, we would like to reiterate that the deployment of any military contingents from countries of the so-called 'coalition of the willing' to Ukraine is unacceptable to our country. I repeat: this would amount, de facto, to foreign intervention and an escalation of threats to Russia's security. We would regard such units as legitimate military targets."
The comments underscore Moscow's public stance that foreign forces entering Ukraine under the auspices of a multinational stabilisation mission would be treated as a direct security challenge. Western participants in Paris have framed the proposed MNF-U as a post-ceasefire measure to bolster Ukrainian deterrence and support force regeneration, and have said proof-of-concept exercises are planned over the coming months.
Details on the composition, size, timeline or legal arrangements for the proposed MNF-U were not provided in the Russian statement. Likewise, the announcement from the Paris meetings described the intended purpose of the multinational force and the upcoming exercises but did not list operational specifics.
Key facts:
- Western allies in a self-described "coalition of the willing" met in Paris and reaffirmed plans for a Multinational Force for Ukraine after a cessation of hostilities.
- Allies said exercises will take place in the coming months to demonstrate the planned force's ability to act.
- Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated any such deployment would be unacceptable to Russia and would be regarded as a legitimate military target.