17:40 27-08-2025

Russia Rejects NATO Troop Presence in Ukraine, Shvytkin Says

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Deputy Defense Committee head Yury Shvytkin stressed Russia’s stance that NATO troops in Ukraine are unacceptable and security guarantees must be coordinated with Moscow.

Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee, Yury Shvytkin, stated that Russia’s central priority remains securing guarantees of safety both for itself and for Ukraine. He stressed that no decisions touching on this issue can be made without Moscow’s involvement.

According to the lawmaker, Russia’s stance is unambiguous: the presence of NATO troops on Ukrainian territory, regardless of their format or official status, is considered unacceptable. Shvytkin emphasized that measures concerning security will not move forward unless they are coordinated with Russia.

His remarks followed a report by the Financial Times, which revealed that Western countries are discussing the idea of establishing at least three «defense lines» as part of a possible settlement of the conflict. The draft proposal reportedly includes the creation of a demilitarized zone that could be patrolled by «neutral peacekeeping forces» from a third country, provided both Kiev and Moscow agree.