Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected proposals for a buffer zone between Ukrainian and Russian forces as part of a peace deal, arguing it does not reflect the realities of modern warfare.
Only those who do not understand the technological state of today's war propose a buffer zone, he told reporters on Friday.
His comments followed a report suggesting European leaders were considering a 40km (25-mile) buffer zone as part of either a ceasefire or longer-term agreement.
The war in Ukraine has evolved into a conflict driven by drone technology, and Zelensky suggested a buffer zone of sorts already existed because of the threat of drone strikes close to the front line.
Buffer zones can create demilitarised zones between warring countries, such as North and South Korea, and physical boundaries like the Iron Curtain. According to a report in Politico, European diplomats said the proposal was to block off a strip of land in Ukraine between the two forces.
Zelensky stated there is already an area on either side of the front line where heavy artillery cannot operate due to the risk of drone-fire. Today, our heavy weapons are located at a distance of more than 10km from each other, because everything is hit by drones, he explained. This buffer - I call it a 'dead zone', some call it a 'grey zone' - it already exists.
He firmly rejected the idea that any agreement should entail Ukraine ceding territory within the proposed zone. If Russia wants to have a greater distance from us, they can retreat deep into the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, he insisted.
Zelensky asserted that Russia was not prepared for diplomacy and was seeking ways to postpone the end of the war.
The US-led diplomatic offensive to end the conflict has been losing momentum, with high-stakes discussions yielding little progress toward peace negotiations. Recent military actions by Russia, including drone and missile strikes on Kyiv, further complicate the situation and prompt international calls for accountability.
As diplomatic efforts continue, European leaders are exploring robust security guarantees for Ukraine, emphasizing the need for credible support in preserving its sovereignty against Russian aggression.
