Russia has issued a stark new threat, declaring it would consider British soldiers in Ukraine as "legitimate military targets" in a fierce rejection of a proposed Western-backed peace deal. The warning comes as the US embassy in Kyiv alerts its citizens to intelligence pointing to a "potentially significant air attack" on the Ukrainian capital in the coming days.
Kremlin Condemns Western 'Intervention' as a Direct Threat
Reacting to a security proposal from the United States and Europe, the Kremlin has branded the plan as "foreign intervention" that poses a direct threat to Russian security. The proposal, which would provide Ukraine with security guarantees if a ceasefire is agreed, was dismissed outright by Moscow.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Britain and its allies of planning to "continue the militarisation of Ukraine". She specifically referenced a trilateral statement signed on January 6 by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky.
"London and Paris plan to establish their own military bases in Ukraine post-ceasefire and build weapon and military equipment storage facilities," Zakharova stated. She warned that any such Western military units, facilities, or infrastructure deployed on Ukrainian soil would be considered legitimate targets for the Russian Armed Forces.
Western Security Pact and Russian Ultimatum
The rejected peace framework followed the signing of a new security agreement between Prime Minister Starmer and President Macron this week. The pact aimed to set up military support 'hubs' within Ukraine to protect the country from future invasion, underpinning any future ceasefire.
Zakharova described the 35-nation coalition supporting the deal as "forming a true axis of war", claiming their ambitions would prove destructive for Europe. She reiterated Moscow's long-standing demands for any resolution, stating Ukraine must:
- Adopt a neutral status.
- Abandon its ambitions to join NATO.
- Hand over occupied territories.
Imminent Air Attack Warning for Kyiv
Amid the escalating diplomatic rhetoric, a tangible security threat has emerged for Kyiv's residents. The U.S. embassy in Kyiv has issued a urgent alert to American citizens, stating it has received information about a "potentially significant air attack that may occur at any time over the next several days".
The embassy advised US nationals to be prepared to seek immediate shelter upon hearing air raid sirens. This warning underscores the continued severe danger facing the Ukrainian capital, even as diplomatic manoeuvres continue.
The Kremlin's latest statements, combined with the imminent air threat, signal a dangerous intensification of tensions, casting serious doubt on the prospects for a near-term peaceful resolution to the conflict.
