Putin warns Western troops in Ukraine would be legitimate targets

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that Western troops, if deployed in Ukraine, would become legitimate targets of the Russian armed forces.

Putin made the remarks while attending the plenary session of the 10th Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. He stressed that if an agreement is reached on the Ukraine crisis that ensures long-term peace, then the presence of Western troops on Ukrainian territory would be meaningless.

Regarding the possible presence of foreign military forces in Ukraine, this is one of the fundamental reasons for absorbing Ukraine into NATO, Putin said, noting that therefore, if foreign troops appear there, especially now during the course of military operations, they will be considered as legitimate targets.

The Russian president emphasized that the issue of Ukraine's security cannot be resolved without taking into account Russia's own security concerns.

He added that both Russia and Ukraine must be provided with security guarantees, stressing that if an agreement is reached, Russia will undoubtedly respect and fully implement these security guarantees.

On the possibility of a summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Putin said he does not believe it is possible at present to reach agreements on key issues, noting that even if there is political will for contact, legal and technical obstacles remain. In his view, such contact would hold little meaning for now.

At the same time, Putin underlined that should a meeting take place, Moscow would be the most suitable venue, and Russia would ensure Zelensky's safety in the capital.

Putin's remarks came as French President Emmanuel Macron and visiting Ukrainian President Zelensky announced in Paris on Thursday that 26 countries, mainly European states, had formally committed to deploying troops to Ukraine within the framework of a ceasefire or peace agreement.

Macron, however, declined to reveal the size of the multinational force.

On the same day, Zelensky said that 26 countries are ready to provide Ukraine with real support in terms of security guarantees, adding that U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed U.S. participation.

In the coming weeks, Ukraine will discuss with each country what exactly they can do, according to the Ukrainian president.

According to foreign media reports, Zelensky also noted that he would not disclose figures regarding the size of the potential deployment, as such issues remain under discussion.

Putin warns Western troops in Ukraine would be legitimate targets

Putin warns Western troops in Ukraine would be legitimate targets

Putin warns Western troops in Ukraine would be legitimate targets

Putin warns Western troops in Ukraine would be legitimate targets

A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.

Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.

In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.

"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.

Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.

In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.

"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.

By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.

After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.

"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.

Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.

As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.

Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media