Kremlin: Sending troops to Ukraine risks conflict with Russia

Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov issued a stern warning to the West in response to French President Emmanuel Macron's suggestion of potentially sending Western troops to Ukraine.

Peskov cautioned that such action would escalate tensions to the point of sparking a military clash between Russia and the NATO bloc, according to Kommersant.

Peskov's remarks came in the wake of Macron's comments regarding the hypothetical deployment of Western troops to Ukraine, which stirred apprehension in Moscow.

"The very fact of discussing the possibility of sending a contingent to Ukraine is an important, new element. Everything else has already been voiced," Peskov said.

The Kremlin spokesman emphasized that discussing the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine introduces a significant new element to the ongoing crisis. He suggested that Western leaders themselves hold varying opinions on the matter, indicating a lack of consensus within the EU and NATO.

Peskov highlighted the importance of a sober assessment of the risks involved in sending troops to Ukraine, urging Western leaders to consider the potential consequences for regional stability and international relations.

"Many retain a sober assessment, understand the risks. It is not in the interests of third countries, they should be aware of this," Peskov added.

He underscored the Kremlin's stance that any decision by the EU and NATO to deploy troops to Ukraine would inevitably lead to a military conflict with Russia, shifting the discourse from probability to inevitability.

"In such a case, we should speak not about probability but about inevitability," he said.

Peskov's warning underscores the gravity of the situation surrounding Ukraine and the potential ramifications of Western military intervention in the region. The Kremlin's firm stance reflects its commitment to protecting what it perceives as its national interests and maintaining stability in the face of escalating tensions.

The remarks also serve as a stark reminder of the risks associated with further escalation in the conflict and the importance of diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and seek peaceful resolutions to the crisis.