Russia, In a firm rebuke to Western proposals, Russia has declared it will not engage in any dialogue concerning the deployment of foreign military forces in Ukraine, regardless of the format or forum.

Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova dismissed recent European discussions about post-conflict security arrangements in Ukraine. “Any conversation about foreign troops on Ukrainian soil is categorically off the table,” she stated, emphasizing Moscow’s stance against what it views as external interference.

The comments come amid growing speculation in European circles about a potential multinational force to stabilize Ukraine after the war. Leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have floated ideas around long-term security guarantees proposals that Russia sees as provocative and illegitimate.

Zakharova accused Western powers of attempting to “reshape the region’s future without Russia’s consent,” warning that such moves could escalate tensions further.

This latest statement underscores the widening gulf between Russia and the West over Ukraine’s post-war trajectory, with no signs of diplomatic convergence in sight.