Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected proposals for a buffer zone between Ukrainian and Russian forces as part of a potential peace deal, saying such measures do not reflect the realities of modern warfare.
“Only those who do not understand the technological state of today’s war propose a buffer zone,” Zelensky told reporters on Friday.
The proposal, reportedly considering a 40km strip of land to separate the two sides under a ceasefire or longer-term agreement, has been met with skepticism by Zelensky.
He argued that advances in drone warfare have already created a “dead zone” along the front lines, rendering a buffer zone unnecessary.
“Only those who do not understand the technological state of today’s war propose a buffer zone,” Zelensky told reporters.
He emphasised that heavy artillery was already unable to operate near the front line due to the risk of drone strikes, with heavy weapons positioned over 10km apart.
Zelensky also rejected the idea of Ukraine ceding territory as part of a peace deal. “If Russia wants to have a greater distance from us, they can retreat deep into the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine,” he said.
The debate over a buffer zone comes as efforts to negotiate peace show signs of stalling.
A recent meeting between US President Donald Trump, Zelensky, and European leaders raised expectations of a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but those hopes have since faded.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas condemned Russia’s latest attacks on Kyiv, describing them as “a deliberate escalation” and emphasizing the need for “robust and credible” security guarantees for Ukraine.
Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova dismissed Western-led proposals as “one-sided” and aimed at containing Russia, stressing that any security guarantees must account for Moscow’s interests.
The conflict continues to escalate, with Russia launching a massive aerial assault on Kyiv on Thursday, killing 23 people and prompting strong condemnation from European leaders.
