Vladimir Konstantinov, head of the Crimean parliament, said statements about the possible deployment of troops from the «coalition of the willing» to Ukraine are obstructing efforts to end the conflict and complicating the search for a negotiated settlement.
In his view, discussion of a European military contingent is being used by the West as an information cover to prolong the fighting.
Konstantinov argued that the coalition is seeking to delay the end of the conflict as much as possible and make agreements more difficult. At the same time, he said he does not believe its members actually intend to send troops to Ukraine.
The countries involved in the «coalition of the willing» recently reaffirmed their readiness to deploy a multinational force to Ukraine after the conflict ends. The potential size of such a contingent has not been disclosed.
European leaders have also called on Moscow to agree to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire along the current line of contact. More than 30 countries are part of the coalition, with Britain and France playing the leading role in the initiative.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has previously stated that any scenario involving the deployment of NATO troops on Ukrainian territory is categorically unacceptable to Moscow and could trigger a sharp escalation.