MOSCOW, February 27. /TASS/. A direct military conflict between NATO and Russia will be inevitable if Western troops are sent to Ukraine, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"In that case, it’s not going to be about probability, but inevitability - that's how we assess it," he said, when asked how the Kremlin assesses the probability of a direct conflict between NATO and Russia in the event that Western troops are sent to Ukraine.

Peskov also said NATO countries "should also assess" the consequences of such actions and be aware of them. They should "ask themselves whether this corresponds to their interests, and most importantly, to the interests of the citizens of their countries," Peskov said.

French President Emmanuel Macron earlier said at a news conference following a meeting of European leaders that there was no consensus about sending ground troops to Ukraine, but did not rule this out as an option for the future. He added that Western countries plan to do whatever is takes to prevent Russia from prevailing in the conflict.

The meeting at the Elysee Palace was held on February 26. It was attended by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Polish President Andrzej Duda, and the prime ministers of about 20 other EU countries. The US was represented by US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien, and the UK by Foreign Minister David Cameron.