Vladimir Putin says "they will immediately deploy troops to Ukraine?" about European troops after a peace deal

Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected the idea of European soldiers being stationed in Ukraine once a peace deal is reached, saying he regards that step as a risk to his country. The issue is central as U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner said after a Moscow meeting on Thursday that Russia would let European representatives attend the next U.S.-organized session with Ukraine, shifting from its earlier refusal. The talks, aimed at ending a war now almost five years old, remain stalled over land claims, NATO’s role and what Kyiv needs to prevent another attack. Moscow calls those protections threatening; European officials say they, not the Kremlin, will shape their region’s defenses. The deployment dispute is a main barrier to a settlement, and adding Europe to the table—something Kyiv has sought—could create further complications.