Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called a proposal for a 40km buffer zone between Ukrainian troops and Russian troops impractical, on the basis that it does not reflect the realities of the modern battlefield. In Kyiv, Zelensky stated that the modern battlefield, which features a drone and counter-drone dominance, creates what he referred to as a “dead zone” because of battlefield technology and not in the name of peace.
“It is only realistic or possible to propose a buffer zone by people who do not understand the technological state of the war today,” said Zelensky. “For example, there is no territory that Ukraine would give up for an agreement to create a buffer zone,” continues Zelensky, adding If Russia wants distance they can usually depart to the deep regions of the temporarily occupied territories.”
The idea, raised by European diplomats, would have been a way to initiate a ceasefire, or long-term peace agreement in Eastern Europe. However, Zelensky rebutted by stating that Russia is not interested in diplomacy and is simply looking to elongate the war.
Tensions have multiplied this week when Russia executed yet again one of its largest aerials strikes yet, firing more than 629 drones and missiles targeting Kyiv, killing another 23 citizens. The strikes received sharp criticism from European leaders. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz commented on the situation with intensity stating that both leaders would increase their efforts to put pressure on Moscow.
At the same time, U.S.-led initiatives to facilitate negotiations seem stuck. Zelensky has held a variety of meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump and other European leaders but hopes for a meeting with Vladimir Putin are also waning. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas asserted Western security guarantees for Ukraine should be “robust and credible” while Moscow characterized them as “one-sided.”
