Janice R. Andrews
Russia has declared that any deployment of European peacekeepers to Ukraine would be seen as NATO’s official involvement in the conflict, escalating tensions further. On Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Moscow would interpret such a move as direct participation by the Western military alliance, according to Al Jazeera.
The warning comes as several European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, have floated the idea of sending a European peacekeeping force to Ukraine if a ceasefire agreement is reached. Macron has been vocal about Russia’s threat to Europe, labeling it a direct danger in a recent speech described by Moscow as “extremely confrontational.”
Macron’s remarks have fueled speculation about France’s potential support for prolonging the conflict, while critics argue NATO’s eastward expansion has exacerbated tensions. The war in Ukraine is increasingly viewed as a proxy battle between nuclear powers, with the U.S. backing Ukraine and Russia resisting Western influence.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov echoed U.S. Senator Marco Rubio’s characterization of the conflict as a proxy war, aligning with President Vladimir Putin’s stance. Peskov emphasized that Russia has long seen the war as a confrontation with the U.S.-led West, urging an end to the hostilities.
As EU leaders convened for emergency talks in Brussels, Macron warned that Russian aggression “knows no borders” and poses a grave threat to Europe. “Who can believe that this Russia of today will stop at Ukraine?” he questioned in a televised address.
With the conflict showing no signs of abating, Macron called for unity, stating, “Our generation will no longer receive the peace dividend. It is up to us to ensure that our children reap the dividends of our commitments tomorrow.” The situation remains precarious as global leaders grapple with the escalating crisis.
