Moscow - Saba:
The Russian Presidency, the Kremlin, has described the discussion about sending NATO forces to Ukraine as an "extremely dangerous approach," stressing that a settlement is possible only by addressing the root causes of the conflict, not by creating further escalation.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a press interview, commenting on Russia's position on the discussions taking place in some European countries, particularly in France, about deploying NATO peacekeeping forces in Ukraine: "It's an extremely dangerous approach. What are the Europeans talking about? Deploying NATO forces on Ukrainian territory. We say that a sustainable settlement is only possible if the root causes related to Ukraine are taken into account and resolved. But they are planning to create additional root causes. And what will come of that? Nothing good."
Commenting on French President Emmanuel Macron's statements that European countries do not need Russia's approval to send troops to Ukraine, Peskov said, "This is absolutely untrue, because peacekeeping forces or any other forces are deployed only with the consent of all parties involved."
Macron had announced in an interview with Le Parisien newspaper that European countries could send military forces to Ukraine as peacekeepers and trainers without Russia's consent.
The French president also did not rule out sending additional Mirage fighter jets to Kyiv.
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a meeting in London next Thursday to formulate a unified plan to form a "peacekeeping" force in Ukraine "after a ceasefire there."
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