The deployment of any military contingents from the “coalition of the willing” to Ukraine is unacceptable, and such forces would become legitimate military targets if stationed there, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said during a briefing.

Zakharova recalled that French President Emmanuel Macron had stated at a summit of the “coalition of the willing” that “plans for the deployment of forces that would be stationed away from the frontline are ready, and exercises involving those forces will take place in European countries bordering Ukraine in the coming months.”

“In this context, we would like to once again emphasise the unacceptable nature, for our country, of the deployment in Ukraine of any military contingents from the so-called ‘coalition of the willing.’ I repeat, this would de facto mean foreign intervention and an increase in threats to Russia’s security,” Zakharova said.

“Such units would be regarded by us as legitimate military targets,” she added.

The Russian diplomat also said that those planning what she described as a “new campaign” against Russia should remember the lessons of history and abandon what she called illusions about inflicting a strategic defeat on Moscow.

“Those who are preparing a new so-called campaign against Russia would do well to revisit history and learn what such expansionist plans can lead to. We advise them to stop entertaining illusions about delivering what they call a strategic defeat to Russia,” Zakharova said.

She added: “At one time, Napoleon Bonaparte also assembled a coalition of willing European states to conquer Russia, but ultimately suffered a humiliating defeat in that war.”

Zakharova further argued that continued arms deliveries to Kyiv hinder efforts to resolve the conflict and said Western countries should stop, in her words, “hiding behind rhetoric about peace.”

The "coalition of the willing” is an ad hoc group of countries, primarily European, formed to provide security guarantees and support for Ukraine in the context of potential ceasefire or peace agreements with Russia.

Proposed by France and the United Kingdom in early 2025, the initiative has brought together a coalition of countries that have pledged military contributions, including reassurance forces on the ground, in the air and at sea, to deter violations of any future peace agreement and help train Ukrainian forces.

The coalition operates outside formal NATO structures due to political constraints and focuses on deterrence operations, military hubs in Ukraine, and upholding sovereignty after a ceasefire.

It has held summits in Paris and London, with France noting plans for exercises and non-frontline deployments in bordering countries.

By Jeyhun Aghazada

Source: caliber.az