Russia has repeatedly warned that Western soldiers in the country would be considered a legitimate target

Denmark is prepared to send troops to Ukraine as part of a Western European mission if necessary, Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen has said, adding to the split among EU members on the issue.

Russia has maintained that only a UN mandate could justify the presence of Western forces in Ukraine, and has warned that any foreign troops deployed without Moscow's authorization would be considered legitimate targets. 

While some EU members, including Germany, Italy, and Hungary, have ruled out committing troops to any potential peacekeeping mission, others such as France and Spain have indicated the possibility of such a move.

"If it comes to the point where a European presence is needed for a ceasefire or peace agreement to be reached, then Denmark is in principle prepared for that," Rasmussen said in an interview with DR radio on Monday. 

He also claimed that a final decision would depend on whether the US agrees to support such a contingent. "That is also why we have not announced any contribution today, but have said that Denmark is prepared in principle to participate if the conditions are right," the foreign minister said.

Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen recently made similar remarks, stating that while Danish troops in Ukraine cannot be ruled out, discussions are still at an early stage.

Last month, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also urged the US to take a more active role in Ukraine, calling for American troops to be deployed to the country. Previously, she argued that peace in Ukraine could be "more dangerous" than if the conflict were to continue, citing an alleged threat that Russia could attack an EU country in the future. Moscow has repeatedly dismissed such claims as "nonsense."

US President Donald Trump has ruled out sending American troops to Ukraine and has refused to commit to backing an EU or British military presence in the country as part of a negotiated settlement of the conflict.

Russian officials have consistently spoken out against any sort of Western troop deployment to Ukraine. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has also suggested that such proposals are aimed at escalating the conflict. He has specifically accused France and the UK, who have been the most vocal proponents of a foreign peacekeeping force in Ukraine, of trying to fuel tensions in the country and trying to stop attempts to end the hostilities.