Meeting comes after Trump pressured European leaders to end reliance on Russia’s supply and Fico’s controversial China meeting with Putin
Russian president Vladimir Putin appeared to be unfazed by the proposals, telling an economic forum in Vladivostok instead that any western troops in Ukraine would be considered “legitimate targets for destruction.”
“If some troops appear there, especially now during the fighting, we proceed from the premise that they will be legitimate targets,” Putin said.
Moscow has long rejected any suggestion of foreign troops in Ukraine, stressing it would be unacceptable and pose a threat to its national security.
Putin further argued that “if decisions are reached that lead to peace, to long-term peace, then I simply do not see any sense in their presence on the territory of Ukraine, full stop,” as he insisted Russia would “comply” with any agreement reached “in full.”
