Russian army may prioritize Western troops in Ukraine as potential targets, according to Putin's statement

In a developing geopolitical scenario, a "reassurance" force, led by France and Britain, has pledged to join on land, at sea, and in the air to patrol any potential peace deal in Ukraine. The coalition, which includes around 30 countries, is expected to grow beyond 30 countries, with varying levels of troop contributions. The countries involved or expected to be involved include the UK, France, several European nations, Ukraine, Turkey, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, along with representatives from the European Commission and NATO. Some countries may only provide support without deploying troops.

Ukraine's government has emphasized the need for security guarantees, backed by Western troops, as essential for any peace deal to prevent future Russian offensives. This stance comes in response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives since February 2022, forcing millions to flee their homes and causing extensive damage in eastern and southern Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has not been supportive of this initiative. He has stated that any Western forces deployed to Ukraine would be considered a legitimate target for the Russian army. Putin made these comments at an economic forum in Vladivostok, Russia. He also asserted that if a deal is struck, Russia will adhere to it fully. However, he expressed that if decisions lead to long-term peace, he does not foresee the need for Western troops on Ukrainian soil.

Putin considers Ukraine's closer military ties with the West as one of the root causes of the conflict in Ukraine. He has previously stated that if a peace deal is reached, he sees no necessity for Western troops on Ukrainian territory, suggesting that compliance with the agreement would be assured.

However, Ukraine and the West cite numerous instances where Russia has breached agreements, including during the period of 2014-2022, when Moscow-backed separatists were engaging in conflict with Kyiv's army in eastern Ukraine. The current paragraph does not provide information on how specific countries would contribute to the "reassurance" force. Ukraine's allies have not disclosed specific details about the proposed plan, such as troop numbers and individual country contributions.

The deployment of such a force is not without controversy. Putin believes the deployment is not conducive to long-term peace. He has stated that if a deal is struck, he does not see a need for Western troops on Ukrainian soil. It remains to be seen how this developing situation will unfold and what impact it will have on the fragile peace in Ukraine.