Russia will regard any foreign military units deployed in Ukraine as legitimate targets, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova warned Saturday, saying such deployments would further escalate the conflict.
Commenting on the "Koalicja 26.2" multinational military exercises scheduled for November 9-22 in Ukraine, Zakharova accused Western nations of ignoring Moscow's security concerns. She claimed Britain and France hope to maintain a foothold in Ukraine through multinational forces to confront Russia and inflict a military defeat.
Zakharova reiterated that foreign military contingents in Ukraine-whether under a "Coalition of the Willing" or any other grouping-are categorically unacceptable and pose additional security threats to Russia, deepening European NATO members' involvement. She affirmed Moscow would achieve its special military operation's objectives.
She said the exercises begin right before Russia-U.S.-Ukraine consultations resume in Abu Dhabi, arguing this shows European countries have no place at the negotiating table. The creation of multinational forces was announced after an August 24, 2026 meeting of the "Coalition of the Willing" in Kyiv.
