Russia’s foreign minister has declared it "unacceptable" for any foreign troops to conduct peacekeeping missions in Ukraine after the war ends.
“The presence of troops from NATO countries—whether under foreign flags, EU flags, or their national flags—makes no difference. This is unacceptable to us,” Sergei Lavrov said after talks with the US in Saudi Arabia regarding an end to the conflict in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer has urged Britain and other NATO members to send peacekeeping forces to Ukraine, writing in The Telegraph that such a move is necessary following Donald Trump’s warning that Europe can no longer rely on the US for security.
In addition, Russia has called on the West to formally abandon its 2008 pledge that Ukraine could one day join NATO. “A refusal to accept Kyiv into NATO is not enough,” said Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
These demands follow discussions between US and Russian delegations, where both sides agreed to restore embassy staffing, create a high-level team to support Ukraine peace talks and explore economic cooperation.
Macron: Trump Can Restart Dialogue with Putin
French President Emmanuel Macron has said that Donald Trump is capable of reopening a “useful dialogue” with Vladimir Putin.
Speaking to regional newspapers, Macron clarified that France is not preparing to send ground troops to Ukraine’s front lines. However, both Britain and France are considering deploying military experts or small contingents “in limited terms, outside any conflict zone.”
Macron also announced that additional talks would be held on Wednesday with several European and non-European countries, following an emergency meeting of European leaders on Monday.
UK’s Military Limitations Could Prevent Deployment to Ukraine
Former British Army chief General Sir David Richards has cast doubt on the UK’s ability to contribute to a Ukrainian peacekeeping force.
While Starmer has said he is willing to send British troops to Ukraine if a peace settlement with Russia is reached, Richards argued that the British Army is simply too small to make a meaningful impact.
“The army’s total strength is around 72,000, but the number of deployable troops is closer to 45,000-50,000,” he told Sky News.
“The kind of force people are discussing would require all available personnel for an extended period. The army is just not big enough to sustain such a mission effectively.”
Macron Rallies Allies Amid European Divisions
Emmanuel Macron hosted a select group of European leaders at the Élysée Palace in a bid to show unity in support of Ukraine.
With German Chancellor Olaf Scholz politically weakened and European allies frustrated by Trump’s direct engagement with Putin, Macron has sought to establish himself as Europe’s dominant leader, according to political analyst Jean-Yves Camus.
However, deep divisions remain.
Starmer has positioned himself as Europe’s main bridge to Washington while maintaining a firm pro-Ukraine stance. Meanwhile, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni has aligned with Trump, and Scholz’s opposition to US involvement in German affairs has put him at odds with Washington.
As the US and Russia move toward a peace deal without European input, European leaders remain divided over the best course of action.
Australia Warns Against a “Broken” Ukraine
Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has warned that leaving Ukraine “broken” by a weak peace deal would tarnish Trump’s presidency.
“I think it would be a blight on his presidency,” Abbott told Sky News after the Saudi Arabia talks between Russia and the US.
Many global leaders insist that any agreement with Moscow must include Ukraine. Canada’s Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly stressed the need for “robust” security guarantees to prevent further Russian aggression.
“We know very well that President Putin has no red lines,” Joly said. “After Ukraine, NATO territory could be next.”
China Backs US-Russia Peace Talks
China has voiced support for diplomatic efforts to resolve the war in Ukraine.
During a UN Security Council meeting, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to peace talks and cited four key foreign policy principles laid out by President Xi Jinping: avoiding self-serving motives, not escalating the conflict, fostering conditions for peace, and maintaining stability in global supply chains, according to Xinhua News Agency.
Ukrainian Official: Trump’s Talks Will Only Encourage Putin
A senior Ukrainian official has warned that Trump’s diplomatic overtures to Moscow will embolden Putin rather than end the war.
“Someone in Trump’s team is following the same failed approach. This will only fuel Putin’s ambitions and his belief that he can win,” the source told AFP.
During the recent US-Russia meeting in Saudi Arabia, Kyiv was notably excluded from the talks. Ukrainian officials are now looking to a scheduled February 20 meeting with Trump’s Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, to clarify the US position.
Zelensky Postpones Saudi Arabia Visit Amid Diplomatic Fallout
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has delayed his planned trip to Saudi Arabia following the US-Russia talks.
He criticized the negotiations, stating: “Discussions are happening—once again—about Ukraine, but without Ukraine.”
Originally set to visit Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, Zelensky has pushed the trip to March, explaining that he does not want to create a misleading impression.
“We are open and honest about peace talks, but I have chosen not to visit Saudi Arabia at this time to avoid presenting a false image,” he said at a press conference in Turkey.
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