Presence of foreign military personnel in Poland is “unacceptable,” says Russia

A Russia condemned today the holding of military exercises of the Voluntary Coalition in Poland, considering that they coincide symbolically with the resumption of the tripartite negotiations on Ukraine, mediated by the United States, in Abu Dhabi.

“ It is quite clear that in the West they still do not want to take into account Russia’s legitimate security concerns and continue their spiral of escalation,” said Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakhrova in a statement quoted by the EFE agency.

The person responsible accuses France and the United Kingdom of wanting to keep Ukraine as a “bridgehead” to inflict on Russia a “military defeat” through the possible deployment of a multinational force.

“The position of a foreign military contingent in Ukraine is categorically unacceptable,” said Maria Zakhrova, warning that its installation “will in fact mean military intervention” and makes them a “legitimate target.”.

The spokesman also considered “symbolic” that the exercises begin on the eve of the resumption of consultations in Abu Dabi, in the Russian-United States-Ukraine format.

“ Once again it is confirmed that Europeans have nothing to do at the negotiating table,” he said.

The maneuvers, designated Koalicja 26.2, take place between 9 and 22 November in Poland and involve about 2,800 soldiers from Germany, Belgium, Spain, Estonia, France, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom and Sweden.

Turkey participates in the maritime component through operational simulation without mobilizing troops to Polish territory.

The exercises are the first carried out by the Voluntary Coalition, which brings together 37 mainly European countries, and was set up to support Ukraine if a ceasefire is reached.

Consultations between Russia, the United States and Ukraine, with US mediation, will be resumed on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi.