Kremlin voices concern over plans to send NATO troops to Ukraine

This photo taken on Feb. 7, 2024 shows a winter view of the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

MOSCOW, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Potential plans to deploy North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces to Ukraine are concerning, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday.

The statement comes following reports that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to propose to U.S. President Donald Trump a Ukraine peacekeeping plan, which is expected to send up to 30,000 European troops to Ukrainian cities.

Peskov said Moscow was closely monitoring all the statements made by European officials.

"This is a matter of concern to us ... as we are discussing the potential deployment of military contingents from NATO countries to Ukraine," Peskov said.

He also said that all objectives in Ukraine should preferably be achieved through peaceful means, adding that the Trump administration believes it is necessary to achieve peace as soon as possible through negotiations, and that Moscow strongly agrees with this approach.