Russia has dismissed a peace agreement concerning Ukraine and labeled British soldiers as “legitimate military targets,” raising concerns about a possible major airstrike on Kyiv. In response to a new proposal by the US and Europe to offer security assurances to Ukraine upon a ceasefire, the Kremlin has criticized the move as “foreign intervention,” claiming it poses a direct threat to Russian security.
Following the signing of a new plan by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron to establish military hubs in Ukraine in the event of a deal to defend the nation from potential invasion, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Britain and its allies of intending to further militarize Ukraine. She warned that Western military units, facilities, and infrastructure in Ukraine would become viable targets for Russian forces.
Zakharova cautioned that the deployment of foreign military units and infrastructure in Ukraine would be viewed as a threat to Russian and other European countries’ security. She emphasized that such entities would be considered legitimate targets for the Russian Armed Forces, reiterating that warnings in this regard have been consistently communicated at the highest levels.
Describing the 35-nation Coalition of the Willing that signed the January 6 agreement as “an axis of war,” Zakharova criticized their plans as potentially destructive for Europe’s future. She also highlighted the financial burden imposed on European residents by Western politicians to support such ambitions.
Zakharova stressed that any resolution to the conflict in Ukraine would necessitate the country adopting a neutral stance, relinquishing NATO membership aspirations, and ceding occupied territories. Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Kyiv issued a warning to its citizens about intelligence indicating a significant upcoming aerial attack on the Ukrainian capital.
The embassy advised US citizens to be prepared to seek shelter immediately upon hearing air raid sirens in light of the potential threat of an imminent air attack.