MOSCOW, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Russia will regard any foreign military units deployed in Ukraine as legitimate targets, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Saturday, warning that such deployments would further escalate the conflict.
Commenting on the "Koalicja 26.2" military exercises for multinational forces planned for Nov. 9-22 in Ukraine, Zakharova accused Western countries of disregarding Russia's security concerns and fueling tensions.
Britain and France hope to maintain a foothold in Ukraine through the deployment of multinational forces to confront Russia and inflict a military defeat on the country, she said.
"We reiterate once again that the deployment of foreign military contingents in Ukraine is categorically unacceptable -- whether under the auspices of a so-called 'Coalition of the Willing' or any other grouping," Zakharova said, adding that such military intervention would create additional security threats to Russia.
Zakharova said the planned deployment would deepen the involvement of European NATO members in the conflict.
She said Moscow would achieve the objectives of its special military operation.
Zakharova also noted that the exercises would begin on the eve of the resumption of Russia-U.S.-Ukraine consultations in Abu Dhabi, arguing that this showed European countries had no place at the negotiating table.
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the creation of the multinational forces in Ukraine was announced after a meeting of the "Coalition of the Willing" in Kiev on Aug. 24, 2026. ■