Moscow: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on Thursday that the presence of foreign forces in Ukraine represents "a red line" for Moscow, potentially undermining the political progress achieved during the recent Alaska summit with the United States. Speaking alongside his Indian counterpart at a news conference, Lavrov emphasized Moscow's support for "sincere dialogue based on collective security." He underscored the importance of security guarantees established in Istanbul in 2022, cautioning that any unilateral actions involving foreign intervention would be ineffective and unacceptable.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Lavrov's comments coincided with reports suggesting that the United States might propose deploying European troops in Ukraine to maintain order if a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv is reached. The historic summit in Alaska, attended by US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, was primarily focused on exploring solutions to the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict. President Trump has been actively advocating for an end to the war, while Moscow has insisted on retaining certain Ukrainian regions with significant Russian-speaking populations.
In addition to addressing the situation in Ukraine, Lavrov highlighted the strengthening of ties between Russia and India, particularly in the energy sector. He affirmed the "positive outcome of exporting Russian oil to India," reflecting the growing partnership between the two nations.