Putin Declares Western Forces in Ukraine Would Face Direct Russian Retaliation

Vladivostok, September 5, 2025 – Russian President Vladimir Putin has cautioned that any Western troops deployed on Ukrainian soil would be treated as legitimate targets by Moscow’s military. The warning, delivered during the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, highlights Russia’s hardline stance as discussions intensify over Ukraine’s post-war security framework.

Putin stated that the arrival of foreign troops during active conflict would “automatically place them in the line of fire,” stressing that Russia could not accept outside military involvement without mutual security guarantees. He further argued that if a genuine peace settlement were achieved, such deployments would no longer be required.

The comments come a day after 26 nations, led by France and the United Kingdom, announced plans to establish a “reassurance force” to safeguard Ukraine once the war subsides. The proposed force could include air, land, and naval units aimed at preventing renewed hostilities and ensuring stability in the region.

Moscow, however, has strongly opposed the initiative. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the Western security plans as provocative, claiming they would escalate rather than resolve tensions. According to Russian officials, any agreement that sidelines Moscow in shaping Ukraine’s future security would be considered unacceptable.

The latest remarks underscore the widening gulf between Russia and Western allies, with both sides preparing for a prolonged standoff over Ukraine’s sovereignty and Europe’s broader security architecture.