Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Friday that any deployment of European troops to Ukraine would result in "a war with Russia." Speaking to reporters at the BRICS summit in New Delhi, India, Putin responded to recent discussions by some European leaders regarding a potential peacekeeping force. Putin denied that Russia poses a threat to European countries and stated that Moscow does not intend to threaten them.
The remarks coincided with Russian air strikes across Ukraine that local officials reported killed eight civilians on Saturday. Ukrainian regional heads reported fatalities in Zaporizhzhia, Kryvyi Rih, Kramatorsk, and the Zhytomyr region. In Odesa, a "massive attack" wounded 35 people and destroyed the upper floors of a residential high-rise. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Ukrainian forces countered by striking two chemical industry facilities in the Russian regions of Samara and Perm.
Diplomatic tensions remain high as both sides discuss potential negotiations without halting hostilities. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated Saturday that Russia is open to talks but will not suspend its military operations during that period. Meanwhile, President Zelenskyy told Deutsche Welle he would be willing to meet with Putin at the Group of 20 summit in Miami this December if both are invited. The Kremlin has maintained that Zelenskyy is welcome to fly to Moscow for meetings, a proposal Ukraine has previously rejected.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk identified recent drone strikes near the Moldovan and Polish borders as a sign of potential provocations at European crossing points. Targeting power infrastructure ahead of winter is intended to impact civilian morale and basic services like heating and electricity. European citizens would see a change in their continent's security posture if their governments moved from providing equipment to deploying personnel, an action Putin stated would trigger a direct war between Russia and European nations.
While U.S. President Donald Trump described a "great conversation" with Putin on Wednesday and suggested both leaders want a deal, the immediate situation remains one of active combat. The next steps include the potential invitation of both leaders to the G20 summit in Miami this December, though Putin's adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said his attendance has not yet been formally discussed.