Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected a proposal to establish a buffer zone between Russian and Ukrainian forces as part of a potential peace deal. He argued that such an idea does not reflect the realities of modern warfare.
According to a BBC report, European leaders recently discussed creating a 40-kilometer-long buffer zone. Zelensky, however, made it clear that constant drone strikes on the front lines have already created “dead zones” where heavy weaponry cannot be deployed. “Today our heavy weapons are positioned more than 10 kilometers away. This buffer already exists,” he said.
The proposal was seen as an implicit request for Ukraine to surrender territory, something Zelensky firmly rejected. “If Russia wants to keep its distance, it can withdraw from the areas it occupies,” he declared.
Zelensky further stressed that Russia is not ready for genuine peace diplomacy, instead pursuing strategies aimed at prolonging the war. On Thursday, Russia launched 629 drones and missiles in an assault on Kyiv, killing at least 23 people.
EU and U.S. officials have pledged to increase pressure on Moscow while continuing talks on NATO-style security guarantees for Ukraine. Russia, meanwhile, has dismissed Western proposals as “one-sided.”
Source: BBC