Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that any Western troops deployed in Ukraine would be considered legitimate targets for Moscow, emphasizing the ongoing conflict’s complexities as Ukraine seeks postwar security guarantees from its allies. This statement follows commitments from 26 countries, including France and Britain, to support Ukraine’s defense, potentially through troop deployments. Putin stressed the necessity of security guarantees for both Russia and Ukraine, expressing skepticism about reaching an agreement with Kyiv. Ukrainian President Zelenskiy remains open to dialogue but questions Putin’s sincerity in seeking peace, highlighting the deep mistrust between the two sides amidst an ongoing humanitarian crisis.