Lavrov ruled out the possibility of compromise on the issue of sending peacekeepers to Ukraine

Russia will not compromise on the deployment of the European Union (EU) peacekeeping forces in Ukraine. This was announced on March 6 by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

He stressed that mainly the countries that are members of the North Atlantic Alliance are thinking about sending a contingent.

"We will categorically not observe such actions. This will mean <...> no longer an alleged hybrid, but a direct, official, undisguised involvement of NATO countries [in military operations against Russia]," Lavrov said at a press conference following talks in Moscow with Zimbabwean Foreign Minister Amon Murvira.

At the same time, according to the minister, those Western countries that do not belong to the military bloc, in particular, Ireland and Australia, will also think about participating in the mission.

"They have trouble outside the North Atlantic Alliance. <...> The company is going to be interesting," the Russian Foreign Minister noted.

Signs of disagreement: Europeans against sending soldiers to Ukraine

Western allies may try to strengthen Kiev's position with the help of mercenaries.

French President Emmanuel Macron, in his address to the nation on March 5, expressed the opinion that after the signing of the peace agreement on Ukraine, "it may be necessary" to deploy European peacekeepers on its territory. At the same time, according to him, Russia allegedly began to pose a threat to France and Europe.

In February, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko noted that Russia does not support the deployment of European peacekeeping troops in Ukraine, because the appearance of these military personnel, under whatever guise they appear, would be a step towards escalation.