A French-led initiative to secure Ukraine after the war has provoked a furious reaction from Moscow, with President Vladimir Putin threatening to attack any Western troops on Ukrainian soil. Putin’s assertion that such forces would be “legitimate targets” marks a significant escalation in rhetoric and a clear attempt to deter Western military involvement.
The controversy began after French President Emmanuel Macron announced a 26-nation coalition was prepared to offer Kyiv security guarantees, including a military presence, once fighting ends. This plan, which Ukrainian President Zelenskyy suggests could involve a large-scale deployment, is seen by the Kremlin as a violation of its long-held security red lines concerning NATO’s presence near its borders.
Putin’s threat is strategically aimed at deepening existing divisions among Western allies. While France is leading the charge, other key nations like Germany, Italy, and Spain are holding back, unwilling to commit their forces and risk a direct clash with Russia. This hesitation has already watered down the initial concept of a peacekeeping force.
Meanwhile, the diplomatic track remains stalled, making the entire discussion of postwar guarantees feel premature. President Donald Trump’s peace initiatives have yielded no results, and a potential meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy is mired in preconditions and mutual distrust. Putin has branded a deal “impossible” while simultaneously inviting Zelenskyy to Moscow, a move Kyiv perceives as disingenuous.