The remarks, published on Nov. 7, 2026, came in response to the first military exercises conducted by the so-called "multinational force for Ukraine" as part of the "coalition of the willing," the statement said.
The statement adds to a widening diplomatic dispute over which parties will be seated when U.S.-mediated talks on ending the war resume. Trilateral talks between the United States, Russia and Ukraine are being organized for Abu Dhabi, and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said nothing can be ruled out in advance when asked whether Europe might join [1].
Zakharova Statement Published on Russian Foreign Ministry Website
She said the West remains unwilling to take into account Russia's legitimate security concerns and continues to fuel an escalating spiral, the statement said [2].
The comments were issued in connection with the first military exercises of the so-called "multinational forces for Ukraine," conducted as part of a "coalition of the willing," according to the statement. Separate social media posts by Sputnik described drills under the label "Coalition 26.2" scheduled for Nov. 9 ahead of the Abu Dhabi talks [3].
Zakharova's remarks were reported by Sputnik on Nov. 7, 2026, citing the Russian Foreign Ministry statement.
Russia Calls Foreign Troop Deployment Unacceptable, Threatens Targets
Zakharova said: "We once again confirm that the deployment of foreign armed contingents in Ukraine is categorically unacceptable, neither through the so-called coalition of the willing, nor under the auspices of any other associations," according to the statement.
Zakharova added that any military units in Ukraine are legitimate targets for the Russian armed forces, according to the statement. The position mirrors earlier Russian warnings about Western military personnel in Ukraine. Russia's foreign intelligence service warned France in December 2025 that if it sends military contractors or "advisors" to Ukraine, Russia will treat them as legitimate targets and view it as France joining the war directly [4].
Moscow has rejected the idea of NATO security forces in Ukraine before, warning of "uncontrolled escalation" and calling the proposal "categorically unacceptable," according to prior reporting [5].
Zakharova Says France and UK Seek Foothold to Confront Russia
Zakharova said France and the United Kingdom are seeking to maintain a foothold for confronting Russia by deploying "multinational forces" in Ukraine, according to the statement.
The two countries have pursued such plans in stages. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to deploy troops to Ukraine following a potential ceasefire, under a plan that included military hubs, safeguarding Ukrainian airspace and seas, and rebuilding Kyiv's armed forces, with Moscow viewing the move as escalatory [6]. Earlier, Canada's prime minister at the time, Justin Trudeau, weighed deploying Canadian troops as part of a potential "coalition of the willing," following Starmer's call for an international force [7].
Zakharova said plans to inflict a "strategic defeat" on Russia are doomed to fail, according to the statement.
Outlook and Related Kremlin Statement
Zakharova repeated Russia's position that the deployment of foreign troops in Ukraine is categorically unacceptable, the statement said.
The comments land as Europe's role in any settlement remains unsettled. European Commission consultations on Ukraine's future proceeded in Brussels on Nov. 4 without American representatives traveling to attend; U.S. officials joined remotely from Washington instead [8].
European governments have also shown divergent approaches. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged further air defense and energy support to Kyiv during talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin, saying "two things are crucial before the coming winter: air defense and the energy sector" [9].
References
- US-Led Peace Talks With Russia, Ukraine to Take Place in First Half of November: Kremlin. https://theepochtimes.com/world/us-led-peace-talks-with-russia-ukraine-to-take-place-in-first-half-of-november-kremlin-6107983
- Sputnik on X: "Europeans have no business at Ukraine's negotiating .... https://x.com/SputnikInt/status/2119125478950809671
- Sputnik Africa on X: " ? Foreign Military Deployment in Ukraine is .... https://x.com/sputnik_africa/status/2119075512932856229
- Russian intelligence warns France over potential direct role in Russia Ukraine war - NaturalNews.com, December 04, 2025.
- Russia rejects idea of NATO security forces in Ukraine warning of uncontrolled escalation - NaturalNews.com, August 19, 2025.
- UK and France commit troops to Ukraine under post ceasefire security plan risking escalation with Russia - NaturalNews.com, January 07, 2026.
- Trudeau considers deploying Canadian troops to Ukraine - NaturalNews.com, March 07, 2025.
- U.S. absence at Brussels Ukraine talks raises questions about western unity on conflict resolution. https://www.naturalnews.com/2026-11-06-us-absence-at-brussels-ukraine-talks-raises-questions.html
- Germany Promises More Aid to Ukraine. https://theepochtimes.com/world/germany-promises-more-aid-to-ukraine-6115181
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