"The deployment of peacekeepers in Ukraine is equivalent to the presence of NATO, which is unacceptable" - Lavrov

Moscow sees no room for compromise on the deployment of European peacekeepers on Ukrainian territory, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

“This discussion (on the deployment of peacekeepers) is being held with openly hostile intentions, and they do not hide why they need it,” Lavrov said at a press conference.

According to the minister, the Russian side “will view the presence of these troops on Ukrainian territory in the same way as it views the possible presence of NATO in Ukraine.”

“We are categorically against such a step. This would mean, I would like to emphasize again, not a hybrid, but a direct, official, undisguised involvement of NATO countries in the war against Russia. This cannot be allowed,” Lavrov said.