On January 8, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova issued an official statement, affirming the Kremlin's resolute stance against escalating moves from the West.
She emphasized that the deployment of military units, the establishment of bases or the construction of foreign weapons depots on Ukrainian territory will be identified by Russia as an act of direct intervention threatening Russian national security. Accordingly, all these infrastructures will immediately be listed as "legitimate military targets" of the Russian Armed Forces to carry out accurate attacks.
This warning is a direct response to the latest calculations of Western leaders. Ms. Zakharova pointed out that recent statements by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron about plans to establish military bases and weapons depots in Ukraine after a ceasefire are dangerous steps.
Moscow affirms that warnings about the harsh consequences of this action have been issued many times at the highest level and still retain their deterrent value for any force intending to have a military presence in this area.
Assessing the document "Ensuring Solid Security" just signed in Paris by the so-called "Ready Alliance", Moscow said that this is not at all a peaceful roadmap, but a tool for the West to continue to militarize and prolong the conflict. The core element in this document is the conspiracy to establish a "multinational force" to rearm Ukraine and maintain the confrontation with Russia. Ms. Zakharova harshly called this alliance the formation of a "war axis", pushing European security into a dangerous situation.
In its message, Moscow also reaffirmed the prerequisites for resolving the root cause of the conflict.
Russia emphasized that peace can only be restored when Ukraine accepts neutral, non-aligned status, implements thorough demilitarization and defascistization. At the same time, Kiev must recognize the "new territorial reality" - the result of the legitimate self-determination of the people in the regions that have been annexed to Russia.
Concluding the statement, the spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry affirmed that the goals of the Special Military Operation will be completed, whether by political - diplomatic or military means. Moscow also emphasized that the Russian army is currently taking full initiative on the battlefield and is ready to respond to all external challenges.
