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Russia says foreign forces in Ukraine would be 'legitimate targets'
Russia warns Western military deployments in Ukraine will be seen as foreign intervention and legitimate targets, citing NATO expansion as a direct threat to its security.
On February 2, 2026 the Russian Foreign Ministry warned it would regard deployment of any foreign military forces or infrastructure in Ukraine as foreign intervention and treat them as legitimate targets for the Russian Armed Forces.
As the United States seeks talks, a second three-sided meeting in the United Arab Emirates is due this week, while Moscow insists it will not tolerate Western troops in Ukraine.
The ministry noted that Western countries had discussed deploying contingents to secure a peace deal and specified military units, facilities, warehouses and other infrastructure as unacceptable, singling out German contingents.
The statement increases the risk that direct clashes could occur between Russian forces and Western contingents if deployed, complicating the U.S.-led peace negotiations this week.
The ministry framed the comment as part of Lavrov's responses and also praised U.S. President Donald Trump's 'purposeful efforts' and understanding of the conflict's roots.