‘Legitimate Targets’: Russia Says Western Troops In Ukraine Would Be Fair Game

Last Updated:January 08, 2026, 17:24 IST

Russia warns France and UK that any Western troops or infrastructure in Kyiv will be considered “legitimate targets,” labeling their deployment as foreign intervention.

This comes days after France and the UK pledged to send troops there in the event of a peace deal. (IMAGE: REUTERS FILE)

Days after France and the UK pledged to send troops to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal, Russia on Thursday doubled down on its longstanding claim by declaring Western forces in Kyiv as “legitimate targets".

“The Russian Foreign Ministry warns that the deployment of military units, military facilities, warehouses, and other infrastructure of Western countries on the territory of Ukraine will be classified as foreign intervention," spokesperson Maria Zakharova said in a statement.

The remarks were in response to a “declaration of intent" signed by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday at the latest meeting of the so-called Coalition of the Willing, where they agreed to deploy forces to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal. Russia has always opposed the presence of any Western troops in Ukraine.

Zakharova said that “these warnings have been voiced repeatedly at the highest level and remain relevant".

News world ‘Legitimate Targets’: Russia Says Western Troops In Ukraine Would Be Fair Game

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