Russia on Thursday reiterated that it would not accept the deployment of foreign troops to Ukraine, calling any such plan “unacceptable” ahead of a scheduled call between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, European leaders and U.S. President Donald Trump.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters that Moscow would not discuss what she described as a foreign intervention in Ukraine “in any form or format that is fundamentally unacceptable and undermines any security,” Reuters reported.
Zakharova’s remarks came after comments by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suggesting that European troops could be sent to Ukraine — a proposal that both sparked debate in Brussels and drew skepticism from some NATO members. Germany, among other European states, publicly expressed doubts about the plan, saying it raised legal, logistical and political questions.
European leaders met with Zelenskyy on the margins of diplomatic engagements this week to discuss support for Ukraine and ways to seek an end to the conflict. The meetings were followed by a joint call with Trump, whom aides say characterized the talks as a step toward negotiations. Trump described the White House discussions as a “very good, early step” toward Russia-Ukraine peace.
Western consideration of sending military personnel to Ukraine has been contentious, with officials balancing Kyiv’s requests for stronger security guarantees against concerns that introducing foreign combat troops could broaden the conflict. Russia has consistently warned that any foreign military presence inside Ukraine would be met with strong opposition and could be used by Moscow to justify further measures.
Zakharova framed the idea of foreign forces as an unacceptable form of intervention that would undermine security in the region, reiterating Moscow’s long-standing position against external military involvement in the conflict. Her comments echoed previous Russian statements rejecting third-party deployments as a red line.
European capitals and Washington have so far focused public discussion on supplying weapons, financial aid and training, rather than committing combat troops. Officials have said that any change to that stance would involve complex legal and political decisions among NATO members, the European Union and partner countries.
The debate over troop deployment is likely to remain a sensitive subject in upcoming diplomatic exchanges. Leaders involved in the call and recent meetings said they were seeking ways to advance negotiations and provide aid to Ukraine while avoiding measures that might escalate hostilities.
