"All of the Ukrainian leadership's ideas, which are copies of initiatives put forward by European sponsors, are completely unacceptable," Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said today.
Zakharova argued that the security guarantees Kyiv is pursuing are aimed at "turning Ukraine into a springboard for provocative actions against Russia". "They do not guarantee security for Ukraine, but will guarantee endangering the entire European continent," she said.
The Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman said any support for Ukraine "will only prolong the country's suffering" and bring significant risks of escalating the conflict.
Ukrainian and European officials have not yet commented on the information.
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Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova during an interview in Moscow, 12/2024. Photo: RIA Novosti |
Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova during an interview in Moscow, 12/2024. Photo: RIA Novosti
The statements were made just before a summit on Ukraine co-hosted by the UK and France, with the participation of European and NATO leaders, Ukrainian officials, and US representatives. The summit is expected to discuss long-term security guarantees for Ukraine, including the possible deployment of peacekeepers and military support after the conflict ends.
Ukrainian officials have requested specific security commitments from Western allies, including the deployment of troops to the country. This is considered a crucial condition for Ukraine for any peace agreement to end the conflict that has lasted more than 3 years.
The foreign force deployed in Ukraine is expected to consist of tens of thousands of European-led troops, supported by the US with command systems and intelligence, surveillance assets. The related agreement was reached during a meeting between US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and senior European leaders last month.
European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen said European countries are drafting detailed plans for a "US-backed multinational troop deployment".
She added that defense leaders of the "coalition of goodwill" supporting Kyiv have met and outlined specific plans to build "an effective military force" in Ukraine. The EC will also seek new funding sources to provide "sustainable financial resources" for the Ukrainian military as part of the security guarantees.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said last month that US efforts to find a solution to the Ukraine conflict are a "light at the end of the tunnel", but the outcome depends on the actual situation. "If no solution is reached, we will have to complete the set tasks by military force," he warned.
Nguyen Tien (According to RIA Novosti, AFP, AP)
