August 5th, 2025 - Putin Warns Western Forces in Ukraine Would Be ‘Legitimate Targets’ Before Peace Deal

President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia issued a stark warning on Friday, declaring that Western forces would become “legitimate targets” if they entered Ukraine before a peace agreement was reached. The remarks came a day after European leaders expressed readiness to deploy troops to help secure a deal. Putin’s comments appeared aimed at deterring foreign involvement as negotiations remain stalled.

Speaking at an economic conference in Vladivostok, in Russia’s Far East, Mr. Putin also said it would be “practically impossible” to reach a face-to-face agreement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He offered to meet only if talks were held in Moscow, a condition Ukraine immediately dismissed as unacceptable. “The Ukrainian side wants a meeting,” he said. “We are ready, and the best place for it would be the capital of our country.”

Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, criticized the proposal on social media, saying Mr. Putin was making “knowingly unacceptable proposals” that undermined the possibility of direct dialogue. His statements came after a Paris summit where French President Emmanuel Macron said 26 countries had pledged support for a future peace deal in Ukraine, including the potential deployment of troops, though few details were offered.

Mr. Macron stressed that any Western forces would arrive only after a cease-fire or peace, but Putin countered that if foreign troops entered Ukraine during ongoing fighting, they would be “legitimate targets.” He added that even after a peace deal, their presence would be pointless unless proper security guarantees were established for both Russia and Ukraine.

Ukrainian officials remain skeptical about Russia honoring any agreement, prompting them to strengthen their military deterrence and formalize Western support. Mr. Zelensky described Putin’s Moscow-only proposal as an attempt to sabotage direct talks. Putin had just returned from a four-day visit to China, where he met leaders including Xi Jinping and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, projecting a united front against the U.S.-led West.

At the Vladivostok economic conference, Russia focused on domestic development and Eastward economic ties, particularly with China. Putin signaled willingness to work with American companies on projects in Alaska and the Arctic, attempting to shift attention from the war in Ukraine to potential economic cooperation. Yet discussions about the ongoing conflict were largely absent from the conference, appearing only in subtle references.

The event showcased regional products, investment projects, and military displays, highlighting drones, veterans’ contributions, and prosthetics for war-injured soldiers. Military-style exhibitions also promoted youth training and patriotic education. Despite the spectacle, the Kremlin emphasized economic growth and Russian-Chinese friendship, using the conference to divert public focus from the war while reinforcing ties with Eastern partners.

Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster) - Histrionic (adj, hiss-tree-AH-nik) - Histrionic is a word used disapprovingly to describe someone or something that is too emotional or dramatic.

Example: The head chef had a penchant for dish throwing, door slamming, and other histrionic displays of temper whenever a dish was sent back to the kitchen.

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