The Russian Foreign Ministry has strongly criticized France’s proposal to deploy European peacekeeping troops to Ukraine, calling it a reckless gamble that could escalate into a direct confrontation involving nuclear powers. Artyom Studennikov, the director of the First European Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry, made the remarks in an interview with Sputnik, warning of severe consequences should such a move proceed without Moscow’s consent.
According to Studennikov, any deployment of European forces in Ukraine without Russia’s approval would be seen as direct military involvement on Kyiv’s side. He emphasized that such actions would not only violate international norms but also dangerously heighten tensions in an already volatile conflict. “It is clear that the consequences for such a senseless gamble, fraught with direct battlefield confrontation, including that of nuclear powers, may be most tragic,” he cautioned.
The diplomat also highlighted the legal and diplomatic hurdles that a peacekeeping mission would face. Under international law, such a deployment requires the consent of all conflicting parties as well as approval from the United Nations Security Council. Given Moscow’s firm opposition, any unilateral action by France or its European allies would lack legitimacy and could be seen as an act of aggression.
Studennikov further questioned France’s credibility as a peacekeeper, pointing to Paris’ ongoing military support for Ukraine. France has been among the Western nations supplying Kyiv with weapons and military aid, a stance that Russia perceives as direct interference in the conflict. “Discussions of such developments are pointless because the root causes of the conflict have not yet been eliminated. Moreover, France, continuing to pump weapons into the Kyiv regime, is the least suitable candidate for a peacekeeper,” he asserted.
The statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry underscores the deep geopolitical divisions between Moscow and Western powers over the Ukraine war. While European nations, including France, have expressed growing concern over the prolonged fighting, Russia maintains that any external military involvement exacerbates the situation rather than resolving it. Moscow has consistently argued that a diplomatic resolution must involve addressing its security concerns and the status of Russian-speaking regions in Ukraine.
The latest developments add to the already strained relations between Russia and NATO countries, raising questions about the feasibility of a European-led peacekeeping initiative. With no clear resolution in sight, the conflict in Ukraine remains a focal point of global tensions, carrying significant risks for international security
