Russia rejects idea of NATO peacekeepers in Ukraine, warns of ‘uncontrollable escalation’

Russia on Thursday rejected the idea of NATO countries sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire in the war with Russia, saying such a move would threaten to cause an “uncontrollable escalation”.

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Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the idea was totally unacceptable to Russia.

At a press briefing, she referred to recent statements by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius about the possibility their countries might contribute troops to a peacekeeping force in Ukraine.

Pistorius said in a January 18 newspaper interview that Germany, as the largest NATO partner in Europe, would “obviously have a role to play”, and the matter would be discussed in due course.

Zelenskyy, who is seeking a meeting with Trump, said on Tuesday that at least 2,00,000 European peacekeepers would be needed to prevent a new Russian attack after any ceasefire deal.