EU contemplates establishing a protective zone in Ukraine
In the ongoing discussions regarding a potential settlement for the conflict in Ukraine, the creation of a buffer zone has emerged as a key point of consideration. According to reports from RIA Novosti, Politico, and five European diplomats, this buffer zone is part of the negotiations.
The proposed buffer zone is envisioned to span a width of 40 kilometers between the Russian and Ukrainian fronts, with the main part of the foreign forces potentially consisting of French and British units for patrolling the zone's border. However, no specific commitments have been made regarding the military contingent for this purpose.
The size of the military contingent for patrolling the zone's border ranges from 4 to 60 thousand troops, but no country has taken on specific commitments yet. Allies expect Ukraine to provide a significant number of troops near any ceasefire or buffer zone.
The Russian Foreign Ministry considers the deployment of NATO troops in Ukraine as unacceptable, potentially leading to an escalation of tensions. It remains unclear whether Kyiv will agree to this plan, as it may imply territorial concessions.
The proposed security guarantees from the US and Europe involve the creation of a "coalition of the willing," but the US is not directly involved in the discussions about creating a buffer zone. President Donald Trump has emphasised that security guarantees for Kyiv would not be equivalent to NATO commitments, and he has stated that there are no plans to deploy US troops in Ukraine during his presidency.
Trump has expressed disappointment with Zelensky and European leaders over unrealistic demands. During a White House meeting, he emphasised that the proposed buffer zone is one of several options being considered by European officials in the context of a possible post-war settlement or ceasefire in Ukraine.
The exact details of the buffer zone, including its size and the specific roles of participating countries, are still under discussion. There is no consensus among officials about the depth of such a zone. The creation of a buffer zone could potentially include the deployment of multinational forces, but the specifics are yet to be determined.
It's worth noting that the planned security zone has faced changes and military developments, including the US withdrawal and Turkish military offensives starting in October 2019. The largest share of troops patrolling the security zone, when deployed, will be provided by Turkish forces in coordination with the United States as part of joint patrols along the Syrian-Turkish border.
As the discussions continue, the international community will closely monitor the developments in Ukraine and the potential establishment of a buffer zone to maintain peace and stability in the region.
