Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday (September 5) that any Western troops deployed to Ukraine would be legitimate targets for Moscow to attack.

Putin was speaking a day after French President Emmanuel Macron said 26 countries had pledged to provide postwar security guarantees to Ukraine, including an international force on land, sea and in the air.

Russia has long argued that one of its reasons for going to war in Ukraine was to prevent NATO from admitting Kyiv as a member and placing its forces in Ukraine.

"Therefore, if some troops appear there, especially now, during military operations, we proceed from the fact that these will be legitimate targets for destruction," Putin told an economic forum in Vladivostok.

"And if decisions are reached that lead to peace, to long-term peace, then I simply do not see any sense in their presence on the territory of Ukraine, full stop."

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VLADIVOSTOK, RUSSIA (SEPTEMBER 5, 2025) (RUSSIAN POOL - Access all)

1. RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN SPEAKING AT PLENARY SESSION SEEN ON MOBILE PHONE

2. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT, VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING:

"Regarding potential foreign military contingents in Ukraine, it is one of the root causes behind drawing Ukraine into NATO. Therefore, if some troops appear there, especially now, during military operations, we proceed from the fact that these will be legitimate targets for destruction."

3. VIEW OF PLENARY SESSION

4. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT, VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING:

"And if decisions are reached that lead to peace, to long-term peace, then I simply do not see any sense in their presence on the territory of Ukraine, full stop. Should such agreements be achieved, let no one doubt that Russia will implement them in full."

5. SESSION ANCHOR

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT, VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING:

"Until very recently the leadership of the Kyiv regime were not speaking about us unflatteringly, to put it softly, and excluded any direct contact opportunity. Now we see that they ask for these contacts, propose at least. I have already said many times, I am ready for those contacts."

7. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT, VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING:

"I’ve said I’m ready. please, come. We will absolutely ensure working conditions and safety, one hundred percent guarantee. But when they tell us: "We want to meet with you, but you must travel to such-and-such location," I believe these are simply excessive demands directed at us. I repeat, if anyone genuinely wishes to meet with us, we are ready. The best place for this is the capital of the Russian Federation—Hero City of Moscow."

8. AUDIENCE APPLAUDING

9. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT, VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING:

"Ukraine has set for itself, and continues to pursue the objective of joining the EU. Let me repeat: this is Ukraine’s legitimate choice in how to shape its international ties, how to safeguard its economic interests, and with whom to form alliances."

10. AUDIENCE

11. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT, VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING:

"They continue to cling to the prospect of Ukraine joining NATO. This is the thing that is entirely unacceptable to us. Even though every nation has the right to choose how to ensure its own security, such matters cannot be resolved without regard for Russia’s security. This is guided by a fundamental principle listed in European documents, the security of one country cannot be built at the expense of another’s."

12. AUDIENCE