March 7, 2025 (EIRNS)—In his March 6 press conference in Moscow with of Zimbabwe’s Foreign Minister Amon Murwira, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was uncompromising in his responses to reporters’ questions about European plans to deploy NATO “peacekeepers” to Ukraine. Asked if Moscow still opposes this, or whether there is room for compromise, Lavrov responded “we see no room for compromise. This discussion is being conducted with frankly hostile intentions. They do not conceal their underlying objectives.” Look at French President Emmanuel Macron’s plan, he said. Supported by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, they will soon escort Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Washington, “cap in hand.” Their plan calls for combat operations to be suspended for a month—in the air, at sea, and against energy infrastructure facilities. “But at the same time, they intend to deploy these peacekeeping forces while simultaneously coordinating the terms of peace.”
As Lavrov observed, if you first deploy troops to a territory, “you’re not likely to later negotiate terms as you will have already established facts on the ground.” The Trump administration has made clear that any attempt to label NATO troops as peacekeepers must be discussed and approved by both sides. Yet, “neither Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer nor other advocates for troop deployment in Ukraine has even mentioned this.” Lavrov was unequivocal:
“We will treat the presence of these forces on Ukrainian territory exactly as we should—a potential NATO deployment in Ukraine,” regardless of how they identify themselves or what insignia they wear. They will always remain NATO forces. “We categorically will not remain passive observers.” Be clear, Lavrov warned. What the Europeans are proposing is not some hybrid operation but “direct, official and unconcealed NATO participation in the war against the Russian Federation. This cannot be permitted—particularly against the backdrop of French President Emmanuel Macron’s panicked statement yesterday that Russia poses a threat to Europe. If so, troops would logically be deployed against this threat.”
