Foreign Minister Lavrov Affirms Russia Will Not Implement NATO Troops In Ukraine

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. (Twitter/@mfa_russia)

JAKARTA - Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at Thursday's press conference stressed Russia would not remain silent and witness the emergence of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) troops in Ukraine under the guise of peacekeepers and would not tolerate such actions from the West.

"There is no way we will tolerate this kind of action (the NATO 'peacekeeping force' in Ukraine)," said the senior diplomat, quoted by TASS March 6.

"This does not mean a hybrid allegation, but the direct, official, and open involvement of NATO countries in the fight against Russia. This cannot be tolerated," he stressed.

Moscow's top diplomat referred to France's latest statement by French President Emmanuel Macron, Russia is suspected of pose a threat to Europe and to counter this threat, it is necessary to send troops to Ukraine.

"We will consider the presence of these troops in Ukrainian territory in the same way as we consider the potential for NATO presence in Ukraine, because whatever flag raised in this operation: the EU flag, the national flag of countries that provide contingents, regardless of the rank sign to the bandera power sign attached to the uniform arms, it remains NATO troops, NATO state forces," said Foreign Minister Lavrov.

At the same time, Foreign Minister Lavrov said "Indeed, why did Ireland have expressed their readiness to send their contingent" to Ukraine. "What do they want outside NATO?" Lavrov said in a sarcastic tone.

Australia and Canada have also expressed the same readiness, he said.

"Of course, how did this happen without (Canada)?" continued the Russian Foreign Minister.

"So the companies that gathered there were quite interesting," he added.