Russia warns France against deploying troops to Ukraine, asserts readiness for talks
The first contact between Russian and French defense ministers since 2022 sees Shoigu cautioning against French troop deployment in Ukraine, ‘it will create problems for France itself’
In a rare phone call, Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu cautioned his French counterpart, Sebastien Lecornu, against the prospect of deploying troops to Ukraine.
Shoigu emphasized that Paris’s action “will create problems for France itself,” as reported by the Russian Defense Ministry.
While specifics were not disclosed, the warning follows French President Emmanuel Macron’s February acknowledgment of the potential for Western troop deployment in Ukraine.
The call marked the first contact between Russian and French defense ministers since October 2022.
Moscow is ready for dialogue on Ukraine, referring Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul
Shoigu underscored Moscow’s “readiness for dialogue on Ukraine” regarding the conflict.
Shoigu stressed the importance of Russia’s involvement in any peace talks, deeming the upcoming round in Geneva “senseless” without Moscow’s participation.
He referenced a draft document, previously discussed during Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul, which reportedly proposed Ukraine’s neutrality for abandoning NATO aspirations.
However, negotiations in Istanbul collapsed without a final agreement.
Russia asserts Ukrainian involvement in Moscow concert hall attack
Additionally, the call addressed the tragic March 22 attack on a suburban Moscow concert hall, which claimed 145 lives.
Despite assertions from Kyiv denying involvement and a claim of responsibility from an Islamic State affiliate, Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, have attempted to link Ukraine and Western allies to the attack.
During the conversation, Lecornu tried to persuade Shoigu that Ukraine and its Western allies had no relation to the concert hall raid.
Still, Shoigu insisted Moscow has “information about Ukrainian trace in organizing the terror attack.”
‘We hope that the French special services weren’t involved in it’
Shoigu alleged that the Russian intelligence indicated Ukrainian involvement.
The Russian Defense Ministry quoted Shoigu, saying: “The Kyiv regime does nothing without the approval of its Western handlers.”
“We hope that the French special services weren’t involved in it,” added.
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