Russia has threatened NATO allies against sending troops to Ukraine, calling them “legitimate targets,” but Putin faces criticism as North Korean soldiers reportedly fight alongside Russian forces against Ukraine.
By Imran Malik
September 6, 2025
LONDON — Tensions escalated sharply this week after 26 NATO countries pledged to send forces to Ukraine in support of Kyiv’s struggle against Russia’s invasion, prompting Russian President Vladimir Putin to threaten that any foreign troops would become “legitimate targets.”
The announcement followed a summit in Europe where French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that dozens of nations had agreed to provide post-war security guarantees to Ukraine. While some governments clarified their role might be limited to training and equipping Ukrainian forces from outside the country, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said thousands of international troops could eventually be deployed inside Ukraine.
At an economic forum in Vladivostok, Putin dismissed such commitments, warning: “If some troops appear there, especially now, during military operations, we proceed from the fact that these will be legitimate targets for destruction.”
The Russian leader’s remarks underscored the widening gulf between Moscow and Kyiv at a time when peace negotiations remain stalled. Despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated attempts to broker a settlement — including a recent meeting with Putin — the Kremlin has intensified its military campaign, leading to renewed civilian casualties in Ukraine.
Putin’s warning, however, has raised pointed questions. Critics note that while Russia labels NATO troops “illegitimate,” it has itself relied on North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. The contradiction has fueled debate over the credibility of Moscow’s stance and the legality of foreign fighters on both sides.
For Kyiv, NATO’s pledges provide hope of long-term support, but for Moscow, they are viewed as an existential threat. Russia has consistently claimed that one of its reasons for launching the 2022 invasion was to prevent NATO from placing forces on Ukrainian soil.
Western frustration is also mounting. Trump said this week he was “very disappointed” in Putin, accusing Russia of drifting closer to China alongside India. Meanwhile, the European Union is preparing new sanctions, with officials insisting that Russia must not dictate the terms of peace.
As the war grinds on into its fourth year, the stakes are higher than ever: NATO’s commitment, Russia’s threats, and the absence of meaningful peace talks leave Europe facing its bloodiest conflict since World War II with no clear end in sight.
