Russia has warned that British soldiers would be considered “legitimate targets” if Sir Keir Starmer deploys troops to Ukraine.
The Prime Minister, just weeks ago, signed a declaration of intent with France’s Emmanuel Macron to put boots on the ground in the Eastern European country if a peace deal is struck.
But on Monday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said the “deployment of military units, facilities, warehouses, and other infrastructure of Western countries in Ukraine is unacceptable to us”.
It noted that such measures would be considered “foreign intervention posing a direct threat to Russia’s security”.
The ministry added that Nato allies needed to realised “that all foreign military contingents, including German ones, if deployed in Ukraine, will become legitimate targets for the Russian Armed Forces”.
Amid the threats to Western countries, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov hailed President Donald Trump for his “purposeful efforts” in working towards a resolution to bring the conflict to a close.
The top Kremlin official described Mr Trump as “one of the few Western politicians who not only immediately refused to advance meaningless and destructive preconditions for starting a substantive dialogue with Moscow on the Ukrainian crisis, but also publicly spoke about its root causes”.
The US has led efforts to hold talks aimed at bringing the war to an end, with a second meeting between American, Russian and Ukrainian officials scheduled to take place in the UAE later this week.
Sergei Lavrov hailed President Donald Trump for his ‘purposeful efforts’
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Despite Volodymyr Zelensky affirming that a peace deal was “90 per cent” read in his New Year’s address, the issue of territory remains a significant stumbling block.
Kyiv has robustly rejected Russia’s proposals to seize control of the entirety of the Donbas region.
Despite Mr Trump declaring that there was a ceasefire between the two countries just days ago, Russian forces launched a missile attack on Ukraine’s capital on Monday night.
Kyiv’s Mayor Vitali Klitschko said a building housing a nursery had been set on fire and a non-residential building had been struck in the assault.
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Kyiv has robustly rejected Russia’s proposals to seize control of the entirety of the Donbas region
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Attacks in other parts of the country were also reported, including in Kharkiv – Ukraine’s second largest city.
The regional governor has confirmed that the strikes had left two people injured.
After the declaration of intent was signed between Britain and France in Paris last month, Sir Keir Starmer said the agreement was a “vital part of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the long-term”.
He added: “It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French, and partner forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine’s skies and seas, and regenerating Ukraine’s armed forces for the future.”
Sir Keir said the agreement was a “vital part of our commitment to stand with Ukraine for the long-term’
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The Prime Minister also confirmed that Britain would be involved in any American-led effort to verify a ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv.
After the Paris summit, US special envoy Steve Witkoff said that negotiations of security protocols with Ukraine were “largely finished”.
He added: “We are here to mediate and help in the peace process, and we’re prepared to do anything necessary to get to that place.
“President Trump strongly, fervently believes that this killing has to stop, that the carnage has to stop.”
