Russia opposes NATO peacekeeper deployment in Ukraine

Moscow: Russia has rejected the possible deployment of NATO peacekeepers in Ukraine, suggesting unarmed observers or a civilian monitoring group be sent there to oversee a potential peace deal.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko stated that discussions on peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine are premature and should only happen after a formal peace agreement is in place.

Grushko emphasised that NATO's involvement in peacekeeping operations is fundamentally contradictory, the Xinhua news agency reported.

"NATO and peacekeeping are entirely incompatible. The real history of the alliance consists of military operations and unprovoked aggression to assert its global and regional dominance," he said.

Russia maintains that any deployment of NATO or EU forces in Ukraine, whether under a unified banner or individual national forces, would effectively draw them into the conflict zone, rendering them direct participants and exposing them to all the associated consequences.

As an alternative, Grushko suggested considering an unarmed observer mission or a civilian monitoring group to oversee certain aspects of a potential Ukraine peace deal.

"Such a mission could ensure compliance with specific provisions and serve as part of a broader guarantee mechanism," he added.

"It is because only through their formation will it be possible to achieve lasting peace in Ukraine and generally strengthen security in the region," he said.

"Ukraine’s neutral status and NATO member states’ refusal to admit this country as a member of the alliance must be part of such guarantees."

US President Donald Trump is pushing for Russian President Vladimir Putin's support for a 30-day ceasefire proposal in Ukraine, which Ukraine has already accepted. However, Putin has stated that the proposal must meet certain crucial conditions to be acceptable.

Trump is expected to discuss the proposal with Putin this week, aiming to find a way to end the three-year war in Ukraine. US Envoy Steve Witkoff, who recently returned from a "positive" meeting with Putin in Moscow, confirmed the planned discussion to CNN on Sunday.

Moscow is categorically against the deployment of NATO observers to Ukraine, Grushko also reiterated the Kremlin's position.

Britain and France both have said that they were willing to send a peacekeeping force to monitor any ceasefire in Ukraine. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his country was also open to requests.

(inputs from IANS)