Russia Warns Against Deployment of Western Peacekeepers in Ukraine
April 30, 2025 — Russian state media has reported that Sergei Shoigu, a key ally of President Vladimir Putin, has issued a stark warning regarding the potential deployment of international peacekeeping forces to Ukraine. Shoigu stated that Moscow would view such a move as a direct military threat and that any foreign troops entering Ukraine under the guise of peacekeeping would be considered legitimate targets.
The warning comes amid ongoing tensions between Russia and Western nations over the conflict in Ukraine. Russian officials have repeatedly accused NATO and its allies of escalating hostilities by providing military aid to Kyiv. Shoigu’s statement reinforces Moscow’s firm stance against any foreign military presence in Ukraine, signaling that Russia would respond aggressively to such developments.
This latest declaration follows previous remarks by Russian officials, including former President Dmitry Medvedev, who recently warned that any European peacekeepers deployed to Ukraine would “return in coffins”. The Kremlin has consistently maintained that Western involvement in Ukraine is an act of provocation and has dismissed any proposals for international forces to oversee ceasefire agreements.
Western leaders, however, argue that peacekeeping troops could help stabilize the region and deter further Russian aggression. French President Emmanuel Macron has previously stated that Ukraine has the sovereign right to request allied forces on its territory, regardless of Moscow’s objections.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the prospect of Western peacekeepers in Ukraine remains a contentious issue, with both sides standing firm on their positions. Whether such forces will be deployed—and how Russia might respond—remains to be seen.
