Moscow today strongly opposed the deployment of Western peacekeepers to Ukraine, warning that the move could lead to a direct conflict between Russia and NATO.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters that Moscow was "categorically opposed" to the deployment of Western peacekeepers in Ukraine, accusing London and Paris of concealing plans for military intervention.
"Russia categorically opposes such a scenario (sending Western peacekeeping forces to Ukraine), which threatens a direct conflict between Russia and NATO," Zakharova said at a press conference.
Zakharova said that London and Paris "continue to make plans for military intervention in Ukraine" and added that they are "disguising it as some kind of peacekeeping mission."
France and the United Kingdom have separately launched an initiative to deploy European armed forces to Ukraine, with the aim of ensuring the implementation of the peace agreement by deterring Russia from attacking the country again.
French President Emmanuel Macron said today, after a summit of leaders of about 30 countries, NATO and the European Union in Paris, that sending Western military forces to Ukraine is not supported by all European allies, but only by some.
The US-brokered agreements - this week's to protect shipping in the Black Sea and last week's to halt attacks on energy infrastructure - were hailed as a first step towards peace. But Ukraine and Russia have disagreed on the details and accused each other of violating the agreements.
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