President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that any foreign troops deployed to Ukraine before a peace agreement is signed would be considered a legitimate target by Russian forces.

"If any troops appear there (Ukraine), especially now while fighting is ongoing, we assume that they will be legitimate targets," he said.

Putin spoke in Vladivostok, Russia, just hours after European leaders again pledged their commitment to a potential peacekeeping force.

The Russian leader’s comments follow remarks from French President Emmanuel Macron Thursday that 26 of Ukraine’s allies have pledged to deploy troops as a “reassurance force” for Ukraine once fighting ends.

Macron spoke after a meeting in Paris of the so-called “coalition of the willing,” a group of 35 countries which support Ukraine.

He said that 26 of the countries had committed to deploying troops in Ukraine — or to maintaining a presence on land, at sea, or in the air — to help guarantee the country’s security the day after a ceasefire or peace is achieved.