Moscow, March 17, 2025 – The Europe Today: The deployment of “peacekeepers” from NATO member states to Ukraine would escalate into a full-scale war between the military alliance and Moscow, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has warned.
In recent weeks, the leaders of the United Kingdom and France have intensified discussions about such a mission. In a statement on social media platform X on Sunday, Medvedev, who currently serves as the deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council, accused French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer of being deliberately ignorant of the consequences.
“Time and again they are told that peacekeepers must be from non-NATO states. No, we will send tens of thousands – just lay it out – you want to give military aid to the neo-Nazis in Kiev,” Medvedev charged.
“That means war with NATO. Consult with [US President Donald] Trump, scumbags,” he added.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had earlier cautioned that the deployment of NATO personnel to Ukraine, even under the pretext of peacekeeping, would constitute “direct, official, undisguised involvement of NATO countries in the war against Russia.”
Western Leaders Discuss Potential Deployment
Earlier this month, Starmer announced that Britain and France were ready to lead a “coalition of the willing” to provide military support to Ukraine, which could include the deployment of troops and aircraft. Following an emergency summit in London, he stated that “not every nation will feel able to contribute, but that can’t mean that we sit back. Instead, those willing will intensify planning now with real urgency.”
“The UK is prepared to back this with boots on the ground and planes in the air, together with others,” Starmer clarified further.
Macron stated that Western troops would arrive in Ukraine only if and when the situation on the ground was deemed safe for them.
Diverging Global Responses
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who attended the meeting along with several other leaders, emphasized that “the presence of Italian troops in Ukraine has never been on the agenda.”
Meanwhile, former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau indicated that Ottawa was considering all possible options and had not ruled out sending troops to Ukraine.
Reiterating his readiness to deploy British military personnel, Starmer told Parliament earlier this month that this effort would be contingent on securing U.S. backing.
On Monday, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told DR radio that “if it comes to the point where a European presence is needed for a ceasefire or peace agreement to be reached, then Denmark is in principle prepared for that.”
Kremlin Issues Stark Warning
Commenting on the potential arrival of NATO troops in Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov last month called such a development “completely unacceptable to us,” citing its implications for Russia’s national security.
