Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly rejected European proposals to create a buffer zone between Ukrainian and Russian forces, calling the idea outdated and impractical in today’s drone-driven war.
“Only those who do not understand the technological state of today’s war propose a buffer zone,” Zelensky told reporters on Friday.
His remarks followed reports that European leaders were considering a 40km (25-mile) strip of land to act as a neutral zone between the two militaries as part of a ceasefire or peace framework.
Drones Have Already Changed the Battlefield
Zelensky argued that modern warfare has already created its own “grey zone” near the frontline. With both sides relying heavily on drones, heavy artillery is often kept more than 10km apart to avoid destruction.
“Today, our heavy weapons are located at a distance of more than 10km from each other, because everything is hit by drones,” Zelensky explained. “This buffer—I call it a ‘dead zone,’ some call it a ‘grey zone’—it already exists.”
Territorial Concessions Off the Table
Any formal buffer deal could also require Ukraine to cede territory, something Zelensky flatly rejected. “If Russia wants to have a greater distance from us, they can retreat deep into the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine,” he said, insisting that Kyiv will not trade land for peace.
US-Led Peace Efforts Lose Momentum
The rejection comes amid a US-led diplomatic push to end Russia’s full-scale war, now stretching into its 40th month. A recent meeting between US President Donald Trump, Zelensky, and European leaders had sparked hopes of a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Those hopes appear to be fading. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz admitted there would “obviously not” be such a meeting, stressing Putin’s unwillingness to engage. French President Emmanuel Macron also warned that Putin may be “playing President Trump” to stall negotiations.
Russia Escalates Attacks on Kyiv
The tensions come against the backdrop of one of the biggest aerial assaults of the war. Russia launched 629 drones and missiles at Kyiv on Thursday, killing at least 23 people. Two missiles even landed close to EU offices in central Kyiv, prompting outrage across Europe.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas condemned Russia’s “deliberate escalation” and said it undermines all peace efforts.
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Security Guarantees for Ukraine on the Table
Despite stalled negotiations, European leaders are considering NATO-like security guarantees for Ukraine. Zelensky’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak discussed the matter in New York with Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Vice President JD Vance.
Yermak stressed that while Ukraine welcomed US peace initiatives, “unfortunately, each of them is being stalled by Russia.”
Meanwhile, Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova dismissed Western proposals as “one-sided” and claimed true security could only be based on Russia’s own interests.
