Putin begins annual televised press conference
Russian President Vladimir Putin held his annual press conference on Friday, with questions from journalists and citizens across the country. (Credit: Reuters)
Russia warned on Thursday that any Western forces deployed to Ukraine under a post-war security arrangement would be considered “legitimate combat targets”, sharply criticizing a recently signed Paris statement outlining security guarantees for Kiev.
In a statement on the Telegram channel of the Russian Foreign Ministry, spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the declarationbacked by Ukraine, the United States and several European countries, was not aimed at peace, but at further militarizing Ukraine and escalating the conflict.
She specifically objected to provisions calling for a multinational military force and continued military support for the Ukrainian armed forces, warning that foreign troops, military infrastructure or facilities on Ukrainian territory would be considered direct foreign intervention by Moscow.
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Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova attends the annual press conference held by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on January 14, 2025. (Evgenia Novozhenina/Reuters)
“All such units and facilities will be considered legitimate combat targets of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation,” Zakharova said.
“These warnings have been raised more than once at the highest levels and remain relevant.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday that Britain and France have signed a memorandum of understanding to send troops to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal, including setting up military hubs and facilities to store weapons and equipment after a ceasefire.
A soldier fires a third-generation Javelin portable anti-tank missile system during a professional training session on January 7, 2026 in Ukraine. (Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French and partner forces can operate on Ukrainian territory – securing Ukraine’s air and seas – and re-establishing Ukraine’s armed forces for the future,” the spokesperson said. Starmer told reporters at a press conference after the Coalition of the Willing meeting in Paris.
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‘We have also agreed [on] important further steps. First, that we will participate in the US-led monitoring and verification of any ceasefire. Secondly, we will support the long-term supply of weapons for Ukrainian defense. And third, we will work on binding commitments to support Ukraine in the event of a future armed attack by Russia,” he added.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and US businessman Jared Kushner speak at a press conference after signing a statement at the Coalition of the Willing summit on January 6, 2026 in Paris. (Ludovic Marin/Pool via Reuters)
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said on
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday that the document on security guarantees for Ukraine is essentially “ready for finalization at the highest level with the President of the United States.”
“Complex issues from the basic framework for ending the war were also addressed, and the Ukrainian side presented possible options for finalizing this document,” he added. “We understand that the US side will engage with Russia, and we expect feedback on whether the aggressor is really willing to end the war.”
