The risks of escalating the conflict would significantly increase if NATO decides to deploy its troops on Ukrainian territory, warned Alexander Grushko, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, in a conversation with KP.ru.
He specified that this concerns situations where "individual NATO countries attempt to enter Ukraine openly, individually, or as part of a coalition," a scenario recently mentioned by French President Emmanuel Macron.
The Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia suspects that military personnel from North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries are currently preparing for a possible confrontation with Russia.
"This is the essence of numerous large-scale multinational force redeployments and exercises on the 'eastern flank,' scenarios of which include carrying out defensive and offensive operations against a 'comparably powerful opponent,'" he added.
Grushko emphasized that the Russian side is taking these developments into account in its military planning and is prepared under any circumstances to ensure the country's security.
"We would not advise anyone to, as you put it, “test the waters” and experimentally test our country’s readiness for an adequate and tough response." the Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia states.
While French President Emmanuel Macron has opened up the possibility of seeing French soldiers in Ukraine, both Poland and Finland have followed suit.
However, none of the three countries hope that it will become necessary, and none believe it is currently relevant. Nevertheless, leaders from Poland, France, and Finland have stated at this time that they will not dismiss the possibility.
