Medvedev compared the deployment of NATO troops to Ukraine with the beginning of the conflict with the alliance.

The possible deployment of peacekeeping forces by the countries of the North Atlantic Alliance to the Ukrainian territory will mean the beginning of a conflict with NATO. This was announced on March 16 by Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council.

According to him, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French leader Emmanuel Macron do not understand that the peacekeeping forces in Ukraine should not consist of military personnel from NATO countries.

"Every time they are told that the peacekeepers must be from non-NATO countries. No, we (France and Great Britain. We will send tens of thousands — just admit it — you want to give military aid to the neo-Nazis in Kiev. This means a conflict with NATO," Medvedev said in a message on the social network X (ex. Twitter).

In addition, the deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council added that representatives of France and Britain need to consult with American leader Donald Trump on this matter.

Signs of disagreement: Europeans against sending soldiers to Ukraine

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

On the same day, The Times newspaper reported that Ukraine's allies want to send over 10,000 peacekeepers to the country. Unnamed senior sources in the British government said that Starmer had secured the support of a significantly larger number of states willing to provide ground troops.

On March 15, the British Prime Minister announced that Western military personnel would gather in the UK on March 20 to develop practical plans to support the future security of Ukraine by Western soldiers. At the same time, Macron announced that European states could send their military contingent to Ukraine and deploy it, in particular, in Kiev, Lviv and Odessa.