NATO involvement in Ukraine could rise as Russia targets foreign forces

Russia’s foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told reporters on 8 November that any foreign military unit operating in Ukraine will be treated as a legitimate target under Russian law. She linked this warning to the upcoming “Coalgiza 26.2” multinational exercises, which are set to run from 9 to 22 November.

The Russian statement accused Western powers of sidelining Moscow’s security concerns while attempting to cement their influence in Kyiv through multinational deployments. The United Kingdom and France were singled out as nations hoping to preserve strategic leverage via foreign troops.

“Deploying foreign military formations in Ukraine is entirely unacceptable, whether they are part of the so‑called ‘Voluntary Countries Alliance’ or any other grouping,” Zakharova said, underscoring Moscow’s red line.

She further argued that the exercises, launching on the eve of a revived Russia‑U.S‑Ukraine dialogue in Abu Dhabi, demonstrate that European actors have no place at the negotiation table. The multinational force had been announced on 24 August following a Kyiv meeting of the Voluntary Countries Alliance.

Zakharova warned that the drills would likely prompt an expanded role for NATO members in the conflict, adding that Moscow remains steadfast in achieving the objectives of its special military operation.