As Europe weighs a peacekeeping force in Ukraine, Putin warns sending troops ‘means a war with Russia’

Russian strikes killed five civilians and injured multiple others across Ukraine on Saturday, with officials attributing the attacks to ballistic missiles and jet-powered drones. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy retaliated by striking two chemical facilities in Russia, though the impact of these strikes remains unclear. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that European troops entering Ukraine would lead to a conflict with Russia, stating "that means a war with Russia."

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk highlighted recent incidents along Ukraine's borders with Poland and Moldova as evidence of potential Russian provocation. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy expressed willingness to meet with Putin at the upcoming G20 summit if both leaders were invited. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov affirmed readiness for negotiations, but emphasized that the ongoing military operation in Ukraine would not be paused during these talks.