The deployment of thousands of foreign troops in Ukraine is being discussed as part of post-war security guarantees for Kiev, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said today, quoted by Reuters.
"It is important that we are discussing all this. Yes, definitely (foreign troops - ed.) will be in the thousands, not just some number. And this is a fact," he said in Uzhhorod, western Ukraine, after meeting with European Council President Antonio Costa.
Yesterday, French President Emmanuel Macron said that 26 countries had committed to providing post-war guarantees for Ukraine's security, including international air, land and sea forces. He initially said that these countries would deploy forces in Ukraine, but later clarified that some of them would provide guarantees while they were outside, for example by helping to equip and train Kiev's forces.
In response to a journalist's question, Zelensky said that it was too early to comment on the details.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that all Western troops deployed in Ukraine would be legitimate targets for strikes by Moscow.
In Uzhgorod, Zelensky said that he had "coordinated steps" with Kostya in negotiations for Ukraine's accession to the European Union. Kiev sees EU membership as key to its security and post-war recovery.
The Ukrainian president is also expected to meet with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico today. Deputy Energy Minister Roman Andarák said in Copenhagen that Zelensky was expected to discuss with Fico the gradual cessation of Russian oil supplies via Ukraine. Slovakia relies heavily on supplies from Russia via the Druzhba pipeline, whose infrastructure has been attacked by Ukrainian drones, leading to several supply disruptions, drawing criticism from Bratislava.
Fico met Putin earlier this week in Beijing and said Bratislava wanted to normalize relations with Moscow.
Ukraine is calling on other countries to stop buying Russian oil to deprive Moscow of funds for waging war.