Western forces stationed in Ukraine would face immediate danger or become obsolete if a ceasefire is brokered, Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted Friday, casting doubt on international efforts to bolster Kyiv’s defenses.

Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Putin criticized the “coalition of the willing” — a group of European nations including France, Germany, and the UK — for proposing troop deployments to Ukraine. He accused the alliance of exacerbating tensions by pushing Kyiv closer to NATO, a move he claimed directly fueled the conflict.

“If foreign troops arrive while fighting continues, we will treat them as valid military targets,” Putin stated, emphasizing Moscow’s stance against external interference. He also suggested that any long-term peace agreement would render such forces unnecessary, vowing Russia’s commitment to upholding “security guarantees” for both sides.

The remarks come amid ongoing debates within the coalition about potential security assurances for Ukraine, though many members have ruled out sending ground troops. Earlier this week, former Polish President Andrzej Duda accused Ukrainian leadership of harboring unrealistic expectations, citing a 2022 incident where a Ukrainian missile struck a Polish village.

Putin’s comments underscore Russia’s resistance to external military involvement, framing it as a threat to regional stability. The dialogue highlights deepening divides over Ukraine’s path forward, with Moscow insisting on unilateral control over the conflict’s resolution.