Zelensky Dismisses Buffer Zone Proposals in Ongoing Ukraine Conflict

Sat Sep 13 2025 06:42:34 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly rejected proposals for a buffer zone between Ukraine and Russia, stating that it does not align with modern warfare realities. This comes amid escalating tensions and a lack of progress in diplomatic efforts for peace.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly rebuffed suggestions for establishing a buffer zone to facilitate peace negotiations with Russia, asserting that such measures are obsolete in the context of current military technology and tactics. He highlighted the effectiveness of drone warfare, suggesting that a dangerous 'dead zone' already exists along the front lines. Zelensky's remarks follow proposals from European leaders for a potential ceasefire agreement, underscoring the complexities of ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. Meanwhile, military hostilities continue, severely impacting civilian life in Ukraine.

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 such as the Iron Curtain - which separated the Soviet bloc and the West following World War Two.

According to a report in Politico, European diplomats said the proposal among military and civilian officials was for a strip of land in Ukraine to be blocked off between the two forces.

But Zelensky said there already was an area on either side of the front line where heavy artillery was unable to operate because of 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 said.

This buffer - I call it a 'dead zone', some call it a 'grey zone' - already exists.

Any such deal could also mean Ukraine giving up some territory within the zone, which Zelensky also rejected: If Russia wants to have a greater distance from us, they can retreat deep into the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

He added that Russia was not ready for diplomacy but seeking ways to postpone the end of the war.

A US-led diplomatic offensive to end Russia's full-scale war, which has now lasted more than 40 months, appears to be losing momentum.

A high-stakes meeting last week between US President Donald Trump, Zelensky and European leaders raised hopes of a possible summit between the Ukrainian leader and Russia's Vladimir Putin. However, those hopes are looking increasingly remote.

Russia fired 629 drones and missiles at Kyiv in a recent massive aerial assault that has prompted outrage from European leaders, further complicating peace efforts.

European leaders are working on providing Ukraine with security guarantees if a deal with Russia can be agreed, but Russian officials have dismissed Western proposals as one-sided and not addressing Russia's security interests.