Zakharova threatens the west: 'You will be our legitimate target'

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that the document from the Western “Coalition of the Willing” and Kyiv on so-called security guarantees is extremely far from a peaceful solution and is aimed at continuing the militarization and escalation of the conflict.

Zakharova noted that the declaration, signed on January 6 in Paris by the coalition members led by the United Kingdom and France together with Kyiv, was presented under the title “Reliable Security Guarantees for a Lasting and Sustainable Peace”, but she claimed that its content is not aimed at achieving peace, TASS reported.

According to her, a key element of the document is the planned deployment of “multinational forces” on Ukrainian territory, which, she said, would be tasked with helping to rebuild Ukraine’s armed forces and containing Russia in the event of a cessation of hostilities.

Zakharova argued that the West and Kyiv’s projects are becoming increasingly dangerous and destructive for the future of Europe and its people, emphasizing that the new declarations are creating, as she put it, an “axis of war.”

She warned that Russia will consider the deployment of Western military units, bases, weapons depots, and other military infrastructure in Ukraine as foreign intervention representing a direct threat to security.

Sofya Sandurskaya / Zuma Press / Profimedia

Such facilities and units, she emphasized, will be treated as legitimate targets by the Russian armed forces.

“All such units and facilities will be considered legitimate military targets for the Russian armed forces. These warnings have been issued multiple times at the highest levels and remain in effect,” Zakharova said.

The leaders of the Coalition of the Willing, Ukraine, and the U.S. signed a joint statement in Paris titled “Reliable Security Guarantees for a Strong and Lasting Peace in Ukraine”, which will be activated following a ceasefire in Ukraine, according to the text of the statement published on the websites of the Ukrainian President and the EU Council.