Western leader Putin issues warning to strike any foreign forces within Ukraine's borders

In a bid to bring peace to Ukraine, twenty-four countries, led by France and Britain, have pledged to join a "reassurance" force. The move comes as a response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which was initiated by Russia in February 2022, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths, forcing millions from their homes, and destroying much of eastern and southern Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that 26 countries have formally committed to deploy as a "reassurance force" in Ukraine, on the ground, at sea, or in the air. However, the details of the troop plan, including the number of troops and specific country contributions, have not been revealed. The troops will not be deployed on the front line but aim to prevent any new major aggression.

The coalition of the willing, as it stands, is not without its divisions. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has urged more pressure but remains cautious about the scope of involvement. Other countries that have not yet officially announced their participation in the so-called "trust mission" in Ukraine include those who have remained neutral or cautious regarding direct involvement.

Ukraine's government believes security guarantees, backed by Western troops, are essential to any agreement to prevent future Russian offensives. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised this move as the first serious concrete step in a long time. However, Kiev has ruled out demands as "old ultimatums."

Russian President Vladimir Putin considers any Western forces deployed to Ukraine as legitimate targets for Moscow's army. Putin earlier this week said his troops were advancing across the entire front line in eastern and southern Ukraine and that he would continue to fight if a peace deal was not reached. Moscow has called for Ukraine to cede more territory and completely renounce Western backing.

The conflict in Ukraine has been marked by multiple rounds of diplomacy that have failed to yield more than prisoner exchanges. Putin stated that the deployment of such a force is not conducive to long-term peace and considers Ukraine's closer military ties with the West as one of the root causes of the conflict.

The extent of any U.S. involvement in a possible Western peacekeeping force remains uncertain. The U.S. President Donald Trump has forced both sides to open talks on ending the conflict in Ukraine. Putin stated that if a deal could be reached, there would be no need for troops on Ukrainian territory.

Amidst these developments, Ukrainian leaders and many leaders in Europe have accused Putin of paying only lip-service to the idea of halting his offensive and buying time while his troops capture more territory. The conflict in Ukraine continues to be a significant concern for the international community, and the deployment of the "reassurance force" is a step towards finding a long-term solution to the ongoing crisis.

Western leader Putin issues warning to strike any foreign forces within Ukraine's borders