Russia Warns Against European Military Forces in Ukraine

Russia has made its stance clear regarding the potential deployment of European military forces in Ukraine after a ceasefire, calling it unacceptable, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on Thursday.

"What do we have in reality? We have a statement made by French President [Emmanuel Macron], which is very antagonistic towards Russia," Peskov said at a news briefing, The Caspian Post reports, citing TASS.

"And we have read the statement of the French president that he intends to deploy a contingent in Ukraine after the ceasefire. This is what he said," he stated.

"In fact, we are talking here about the confrontational deployment of an ephemeral contingent," he continued.

"Will Russia be able to agree with this? We should leave this question floating in the air without giving a direct answer, because the answer is absolutely obvious," he added.

Earlier, Macron, in his address to the nation, said that he would initiate a discussion on expanding the operations of France’s nuclear deterrent forces to other European countries after Friedrich Merz, who is running for chancellor of Germany, urged doing so. Moreover, the French president mentioned growing threats to Europe and his country, including alleged ones coming from Russia.