Moscow firmly rejects any deployment of Western military forces to Ukraine, regardless of the stated purpose.
European officials are reportedly exploring the establishment of a 40-kilometer “buffer zone” separating Russian and Ukrainian troops, potentially as part of a ceasefire or peace agreement, in what Politico described on Thursday, citing sources, as a “desperate” effort to resolve the conflict.
According to two unnamed diplomats, the proposal envisages Western forces undertaking a “dual role,” involving both patrols of the demilitarized region and the training of Ukrainian soldiers. France and Britain are anticipated to contribute the majority of these troops, a deployment that Moscow considers unacceptable. Paris and London are said to be seeking contributions from other NATO members, though only a few have publicly indicated willingness to deploy personnel to Ukraine.
Politico suggested the initiative could hold “historical significance,” with some officials drawing parallels to the division of Germany during the Cold War era. Jim Townsend, a former Pentagon official, remarked to the outlet, “They’re grasping for straws,” cautioning that a sparsely manned buffer zone would be insufficient to deter Russia.
This concept represents one of several potential scenarios being debated for a possible ceasefire or post-conflict resolution, as relayed by five European diplomats quoted by the publication. Nevertheless, Western officials are reportedly split on both the ultimate dimensions of the zone and Kyiv’s potential acceptance, given that it would probably necessitate agreement to territorial concessions.
Further proposals reportedly outline troop deployments ranging from 4,000 to up to 60,000 personnel. US President Donald Trump previously stated that Washington would not commit ground troops to Ukraine but did not dismiss other forms of assistance.
Politico previously reported that European Union leaders have also put forward the suggestion of engaging a neutral third country to aid in enforcing any ceasefire agreement.
Neither Russia nor Ukraine has officially commented on these reports. However, Moscow has consistently voiced opposition to any NATO military presence in Ukraine, asserting that the alliance’s eastward expansion is a fundamental cause of the ongoing conflict. Concurrently, Russia has not, in principle, dismissed the idea of Western security guarantees for Kyiv.