Russia says Western troops in Ukraine would become "legitimate military targets"

Russia's Foreign Ministry has said that the Coalition of the Willing declaration on security guarantees for Ukraine is far removed from a peaceful settlement, and that Russia will view Western troops deployed in Ukraine as "legitimate military targets".

Members of the Coalition of the Willing signed a declaration on security guarantees for Ukraine on 6 January in Paris. According to Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for Russia's Foreign Ministry, the "document is extremely far from a peaceful settlement".

"It is aimed not at achieving lasting peace and security, but at continued militarisation, escalation and the expansion of the conflict," she said.

Zakharova stated that the deployment of Western troops and military facilities in Ukraine would be regarded as an intervention posing a security threat, and that Western units and military sites in Ukraine would be considered legitimate military targets.

She added that the plans of the West and Ukraine are becoming increasingly dangerous and destructive for Europe's future and its population.

Members of the Coalition of the Willing, together with Ukraine and the United States, signed a joint declaration on security guarantees for a stable and lasting peace in Ukraine.

The Coalition of the Willing also decided to establish a special coordination centre in Paris in the US-Ukraine-Coalition of the Willing format, tasked with coordinating security guarantees for Ukraine from Western allies.

European Council President António Costa said the EU is willing to assume commitments on a system of politically and legally binding guarantees to be activated once a ceasefire comes into force.