Western military personnel in Ukraine may face retaliation from Russia's Putin

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, now in its third year, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and forced millions to flee their homes, making it one of the deadliest conflicts in Europe since World War II.

In an effort to prevent future Russian offensives, the Ukrainian government is seeking international support, particularly from Western nations, to deter potential aggression. This support could come in the form of security guarantees backed by Western troops.

France, the United Kingdom, and about 10 other countries, as co-chairs of the "Coalition of the Willing," have announced their readiness to provide a peacekeeping or stabilization force in Ukraine under a possible peace agreement. While the US itself will not deploy troops on the ground, European countries are collaborating with the USA to offer security guarantees.

However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened that any Western forces deployed to Ukraine would be considered a legitimate target by Moscow's army. Putin made this statement at an economic forum in Vladivostok, emphasising Russia's view of the deployment of Western troops as a potential escalation of the conflict.

The extensive destruction caused by the conflict in eastern and southern regions of Ukraine has led to discussions about the potential role of Western troops in ensuring security. The Ukrainian government believes that the presence of Western troops is necessary to deter potential future attacks by Russia.

Kyiv's allies have committed to a troop presence in Ukraine, should a peace deal be reached. The ongoing conflict is a cause for concern for many Western nations, as Russia has threatened to consider any Western forces deployed as legitimate targets.

Despite the threats, the international community continues to explore options for ensuring security and preventing a resurgence of the conflict in Ukraine. The situation remains a pressing issue, with millions of lives hanging in the balance.