The deployment of NATO peacekeeping forces in Ukraine would lead to a direct confrontation between Russia and the alliance, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned on Wednesday, March 23.
Russia has also noted Poland’s intention to increase the deployment of military contingents to Ukraine at the next NATO summit, Lavrov said at a meeting with students from MGIMO University in Moscow.
“I hope that they (Poland) understand what they are talking about. This will be the direct clash between the Russian armed forces and NATO, which not only everyone would like to avoid, but everyone says should not be carried out as a matter of principle.” he added.
Lavrov noted that if Poland and the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) send peacekeepers to Ukraine independently of NATO, they will face the consequences of direct entry into the conflict.
He further stated that with such a move, Poland could try to separate western Ukraine from the rest of the country and stay there permanently.
“Polish representatives are known for their unconventional movements,” added the Russian minister, who accused Warsaw of wanting to cause “serious problems”. “I do not rule out that when they talk about peacekeeping forces, they probably mean (deploying troops) on their borders in western Ukraine. Maybe they want to introduce peacekeeping forces, establish a headquarters in Lviv and stay there. They had such ideas and they didn’t do it. They’re just ideas,” he said.
The Russian diplomat criticized the request to supply Ukraine with MiG fighter jets and manportable air defense systems (MANPADS), claiming that such weapons could fall into the wrong hands and spread across Europe, posing a threat to all countries.
The minister added that the peace talks between Russia and Ukraine are continuing with difficulties and accused the Ukrainian side of constantly changing their positions.
He indicated that Kyiv was receiving instructions from the United States and that Washington wanted to prolong the conflict for Russia.
“It’s hard to get rid of the impression that American colleagues are stopping Kyiv. Both our political scientists and Westerners say that Americans simply assume that it is not profitable for them to quickly complete this combat state for as long as possible,” he added.
*Aicha Sandoval Alaguna contributed to the writing of this article.
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