Investing.com -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated on Wednesday that Moscow will not consider "any options" related to the deployment of European peacekeepers in Ukraine. He suggested that the concept would worsen the conflict and make de-escalation more difficult.

Earlier this week, French President Emmanuel Macron had proposed the idea during discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump, suggesting that troops could ensure the respect of any peace agreement. Trump conveyed his acceptance of the idea, adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin was also in agreement. However, the Kremlin later clarified that Russia's opposition to the proposal remained unchanged.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is scheduled to meet with Trump on Thursday, has expressed his readiness to deploy British forces to Ukraine as part of a postwar peacekeeping team.

Lavrov, who has previously deemed the proposal "unacceptable," reiterated Moscow's objections to any such deployment in strong terms, dispelling any uncertainties following Trump's assertion that Putin had warmed to the idea.

During a visit to Qatar, Lavrov stated, "We cannot consider any options" in reference to European peacekeepers. He further explained that a decision on peacekeeping force deployment would only be feasible with the consent of both sides, presumably Russia and Ukraine. "Nobody has asked us about this," Lavrov added.

He further indicated that Moscow is interested in a solution that would result in the remaining Ukraine-controlled territory being less hostile towards Russia and Russian-speakers. Ukraine has consistently refuted Russia's allegations of repression against ethnic Russians and Russian-speakers within its borders.

Lavrov concluded by stating that resolving the conflict would require more than "simple technical measures like deploying troops." He pointed to the root causes of the conflict, which he identified as Ukraine's attempted alignment with NATO and the alleged eradication of the rights of Russians and Russian-speaking people.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.