Russia says potential foreign military troops deployment in Ukraine unacceptable

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia – Russia has no plans to discuss any potential foreign military deployment in Ukraine in any format, calling it “unacceptable”, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters on Sept 4.

She was commenting on remarks by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on plans to send European troops to Ukraine, a move which was also rejected by Germany.

In an interview with the Financial Times on Aug 31, Dr von der Leyen said

Europe was drawing up “pretty precise plans”

for a multinational troop deployment to Ukraine as part of post-conflict security guarantees that will have the backing of US capabilities.

“Russia is not going to discuss a foreign intervention in Ukraine in any form or format that is fundamentally unacceptable and undermines any security,” Ms Zakharova said during a weekly briefing with reporters.

Germany’s Defence Minister also harshly dismissed the comments as premature remarks by Dr von der Leyen on Sept 1. REUTERS