Medvedev warns NATO peacekeepers in Ukraine will spark war with Russia
- Leaders from the UK and France have proposed deploying NATO troops to Ukraine under the peacekeeping mission.
- Dmitry Medvedev has warned that this would provoke an all-out war between NATO and Russia, insisting peacekeepers should come from non-NATO countries.
- The situation remains tense, with various NATO leaders discussing military support and the potential consequences of direct involvement in the conflict.
In recent weeks, there have been increasing discussions among leaders in the UK and France regarding the potential deployment of NATO military personnel to Ukraine as peacekeepers. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who is currently the deputy chair of Russia's Security Council, has strongly opposed this notion. He stated that such a deployment would escalate into an all-out war between NATO and Russia, labeling Western leaders as 'playing dumb' over the implications of sending troops from NATO states. He emphasized that peacekeeping forces must come from non-NATO countries to avoid confrontation, accusing the West of supporting what he termed as 'neo-Nazis' in Ukraine. On the European front, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are contemplating military support for Ukraine, with Macron suggesting that any troop deployment would only occur if the situation became stable. This position is echoed by other leaders, including the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who affirmed that Italian troops would not participate, contrasting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's openness to sending troops. The discussions among NATO allies have become urgent, reflecting heightened tensions in the region. Additionally, Medvedev's comments prompted a response from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who reiterated that any NATO military involvement would amount to direct engagement in the conflict against Russia. With both Russian and NATO statements highlighting significant concerns over national security, the potential for miscalculation remains high. Analysts suggest that incremental decisions regarding troop deployment might inadvertently lead to a larger military confrontation. These developments occur alongside an emergency summit in London, where leaders expressed their readiness to intensify military planning in support of Ukraine. Starmer assured the Parliament that British military resources could be deployed contingent on U.S. backing, while the Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen indicated a possibility of European troop presence if a ceasefire becomes necessary. As the situation unfolds, the ripple effects of these decisions may have lasting implications for global security dynamics and East-West relations.