During discussions in Riyadh, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed strong opposition to the proposal of deploying armed forces from other countries to Ukraine, describing such an action as "completely unacceptable." Lavrov's remarks were made in the context of a peacekeeping plan proposed by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, which involves sending British troops to participate in a peacekeeping force in Ukraine.

Lavrov conveyed this message after engaging in four hours of talks with high-ranking U.S. diplomats, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

He asserted that any deployment of foreign military personnel under a different flag would not change the situation on the ground and reiterated that it is fundamentally unacceptable to Moscow.

Starmer’s proposal has faced mixed reactions within Europe, highlighting ongoing divisions regarding the international response to the conflict in Ukraine.

Notably, former U.S. President Donald Trump also indicated a willingness to consider sending peacekeeping troops, as stated by his peace envoy earlier this week.

In the discussions, Lavrov stated that U.S. officials gained a clearer understanding of Russia's stance on the situation, framing the dialogue as constructive.

He reiterated Russia's longstanding concerns regarding NATO's expansion, particularly the potential membership of Ukraine, which Moscow perceives as a direct threat to its national security.

Secretary of State Rubio remarked that he felt optimistic about Moscow's willingness to engage seriously with the peace process.

He characterized the Riyadh meeting as the initial step in what he anticipated would be a long and challenging path toward resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The talks sparked criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who expressed frustration that discussions occurred without the involvement of Ukrainian officials.

Zelenskyy underscored the importance of including Ukraine in negotiations regarding its future and subsequently canceled a planned trip to Saudi Arabia, although this decision was said to be unrelated to the recent U.S.-Russia conversations.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that President Vladimir Putin has expressed a willingness to negotiate with Zelenskyy but emphasized that discussions would need to address broader security issues first.

Peskov noted that while Putin is open to peace talks, any agreements would necessitate careful consideration of the existing political landscape in Ukraine, which he claimed raises questions about Zelenskyy's legitimacy.