Putin issues a stern warning to NATO: "If you come, you will be a target."

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that NATO troops in Ukraine would be a legitimate target for Russia.

Vladimir Putin spoke at the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum held in Vladivostok from September 3-6.

NATO troops in Ukraine will be a legitimate target.

Highlights from Putin's statements, which touched on the potential for NATO troops to be deployed in Ukraine and the potential for a meeting with Ukrainian leader Zelenskyy, are as follows:

"As for the possible deployment of troops in Ukraine, this is one of the main reasons why Ukraine joined NATO, so we will proceed from the fact that if any troops come here, especially now that military operations are underway, they will be legitimate targets for defeat."

Following NATO leader Mark Rutte’s statement on Thursday that Ukraine’s NATO membership was of no concern to Russia, Putin touched on the issue again, saying, “Ukraine’s accession to NATO is directly related to the interests of the Russian Federation in the field of security.”

WHERE WILL HE MEET WITH ZELENSKY? Evaluating the meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Putin reiterated his invitation to Moscow. The Russian leader made the following statements on the subject:

Moscow is the best place for high-level talks between Russia and Ukraine. The Ukrainian side wants this meeting and proposes it. I said, 'Please come.' We will absolutely ensure working and safety conditions. A 100% guarantee. However, if they tell us, 'We want to have a meeting with you, but you have to go there for this meeting,' it would be unacceptable for us."

Source: TELE1