Western leader Putin warns potential retaliation against any allied military forces in Ukraine

In a significant development, a coalition of 26 countries, predominantly European states including Germany and France, have agreed to send troops to Ukraine as a "reassurance force." This decision was made following a meeting in Paris in 2025, in an effort to provide security guarantees for Ukraine involving ground, sea, and air troop deployments.

The move comes amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, initiated by Russia in 2022, which has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, forced millions from their homes, and destroyed much of eastern and southern Ukraine. The conflict has been marked by numerous broken agreements on Ukraine, dating back to the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, as pointed out by Ukraine and many leaders in Europe.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been accused of paying only lip-service to the idea of halting his offensive and playing for time while his troops capture more territory. In response, Putin has warned that any Western forces deployed to Ukraine would be considered a legitimate target for Moscow's army. He has also stated that the deployment of such a force is not conducive to long-term peace and that Ukraine's closer military ties with the West are one of the root causes of the conflict.

In a bid to end the conflict, US President Donald Trump has forced the two sides to open talks. However, Kyiv has ruled out the demands as "old ultimatums." Moscow, on the other hand, has called for Ukraine to cede more territory and completely renounce Western backing.

The troops, who will not be deployed on the front line, aim to prevent any new major aggression. French President Emmanuel Macron announced that the troops would be present on land, at sea, and in the air. The specific details of the troop presence plan, including the number of troops and individual country contributions, have not been revealed yet.

The coalition, led by France and Britain, consists of 24 countries so far. Ukrainian President Zelensky hailed the move as the first serious concrete step in a long time. There are, however, divisions within the coalition, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urging more pressure but remaining cautious about the scope of involvement. The extent of any US involvement in a possible Western peacekeeping force remains uncertain.

Putin stated that if a deal could be struck, there would be no need for troops in Ukraine. Despite this, he earlier this week said his troops were advancing across the entire front line in eastern and southern Ukraine. Putin has also warned that any Western forces deployed to Ukraine would be considered a legitimate target for Moscow's army.

The situation in Ukraine remains tense, with both sides seeking a resolution to the conflict. The deployment of the "reassurance force" is seen as a significant step towards achieving a lasting peace in the region.