For Min Spox-French Troops In Ukraine Would 'Become Targets For Russia'

Wires carrying comments from Russian Foreign Ministry spox Maria Zakharova. In response to French President Emmanuel Macron's recent comments regarding never ruling out the prospect of NATO 'boots on the ground' in Ukraine, Zakharova states that 'If French troops appear in Ukraine they will become targets for Russian troops'. Zakharova acknowledged the media speculationthat French Foreign Legion troops could already be in Ukraine, saying 'we [have seen] more news about Frenchmen killed in Ukraine.'

• Zakharova, on allegations of Russian involvement in a fire at a warehouse in Londonin April, says that 'we consider these accusations as provocative', and that 'British allegations of Russian involvement in arson attack in the UK are absurd and part of the information war'.
• Zakharova: 'Russia will continue efforts to ensure fair investigation into Nord Stream gas pipelines blast'. In Feb, both Denmark and Sweden dropped their investigations into the 2022 blasts, citing jurisdictional issues and the lack of a criminal case.
• Zakharova says 'We do not so far see prospects for a settlement in Gaza'. Unlike the US, or other regional mediators, Russia is not playing a notable role in the efforts to seek a resolution to the war in Gaza. Russia's primary role in the region today is as an ally and key military trade partner of Iran.