Russian Officials Comment on the Possibility of Sending Western Troops to Ukraine

Finland's Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen's statement that she does not rule out the possibility of sending troops from Western countries to Ukraine is mere empty talk, said Alexei Chepan, the first deputy chairman of the State Duma's International Affairs Committee.

“The statement by the Finnish Foreign Minister is a political and foolish PR stunt, nothing more,” he said.

Chepan recounted that last week, a delegation from the Duma, headed by Deputy Speaker Pyotr Tolstoy, was in Switzerland, where foreign representatives and European parliamentarians consistently approached them, stating that they do not share the views of Western leaders regarding sending troops to Ukraine.

At the end of February, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Paris would do everything to ensure that Russia “does not win this war.” At the same time, he mentioned that the leaders of European states had discussed the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine, but at that moment, they had not reached a consensus.

Later, the French leader, who has faced severe criticism from both NATO allies and leaders of all political parties within the country, called his words thoroughly considered. The president also noted the absence of “borders and red lines” for the republic in terms of aiding Kyiv.

Moreover, the authorities of many European countries have stated that there is no talk of moving military personnel to Ukraine. In particular, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius emphasized that Germany will not send its soldiers to the republic. Additionally, the German government leader clarified that NATO countries do not plan to do so either.

Commenting on Macron's statements, the Kremlin warned that such a development of events would inevitably lead to a direct military confrontation between Russia and the North Atlantic Alliance. As emphasized by President Vladimir Putin in an interview with journalist Dmitry Kiselev, the entry of European troops into Ukraine will not change the situation on the battlefield in any way and will only lead to dire consequences for the Kyiv authorities.