MOSCOW, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that any deployment of British troops in Ukraine would prolong the war, not end it. France and Britain
Russia warns UK troop deployment in Ukraine would prolong, not end, war
Russia’s Response to UK–Ukraine Troop Plans
MOSCOW, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that any deployment of British troops in Ukraine would prolong the war, not end it.
UK and France Post-Ceasefire Commitment
France and Britain have said they intend to send troops to Ukraine once a ceasefire in the war with Russia is reached.
Healey’s Rationale for Deployment
British Defence Minister John Healey wrote in a weekend newspaper article: "I want to be the defence secretary who deploys British troops to Ukraine – because this will mean that this war is finally over."
Zakharova’s Rebuttal
Zakharova told reporters: "Contrary to Healey's misconception, the deployment of British troops to Ukraine will not mean the end of the war, but rather a prolongation of the conflict and an increase in the risk of a large-scale military confrontation involving many more states."
Warning on Foreign Troops as Targets
She repeated a warning by Russia that it would see any foreign troops in Ukraine as legitimate targets.
Reporting and Editing Credits
(Reporting by Dmitry Antonov; Writing by Anastasia Teterevleva; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
