Europe discussing creation of 40-kilometer buffer zone on Ukrainian territory
European leaders are considering the creation of a 40-kilometer buffer zone between Russian and Ukrainian front lines as part of a future peace agreement, Politico reported, citing European diplomats.
According to the diplomats, this proposal is one of several being evaluated by military and civilian officials for a post-war or ceasefire scenario in Ukraine.
However, there is no consensus on the zone’s exact depth, and it remains unclear whether Kyiv would agree, as the plan likely involves territorial concessions.
Jim Townsend, a former Pentagon official who oversaw Europe and NATO policy under President Barack Obama, suggested that Europeans are “grasping for straws.”
“The Russians are not afraid of the Europeans. And if they think that a couple of British and French observers are going to deter them from marching into Ukraine, then they’re wrong,” he said.
Politico noted that officials are discussing a peacekeeping force ranging from 4,000 to 60,000 troops to monitor the buffer zone, though no countries have yet committed.
Two diplomats said the peacekeepers would patrol the demilitarized zone while also training Ukrainian forces.
Two sources indicated that French and British troops would likely form the core of the foreign contingent, with these countries urging other allies to contribute military resources.
Background
U.S. Special Representative Steve Witkoff stated that during a meeting in Alaska, Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump agreed on “reliable security guarantees” for Ukraine, including protections akin to NATO’s Article 5.
A “coalition of the willing” has expressed readiness to contribute to Ukraine’s security guarantees by deploying troops to its territory.
The nature of U.S. support remains unclear. The White House has said Washington could assist with coordination and possibly provide other security measures. Trump emphasized that the U.S. would not send troops but did not rule out supporting allies with “air support.”
The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead a working group of national security advisors and NATO representatives to draft Ukraine’s security guarantees.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, following a White House meeting, said that part of the security guarantees would include a package of U.S. weapons, such as aircraft and air defense systems, that Ukraine does not produce.
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