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Zelensky deems the concept of a demilitarized zone as lifeless, impractical.

Ukraine has yet to receive any formal proposals for establishing a buffer zone. Instead, a ceasefire is seen as the utmost priority, according to Zelensky. Per Kellogg's statements, Kiev aims for a combat standstill and a 15 km troop withdrawal from both sides.

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Ukraine has not been offered any formal plans for establishing a buffer zone, according to...
Ukraine has not been offered any formal plans for establishing a buffer zone, according to Zelensky. Instead, the cessation of fire is deemed as the utmost importance by him. Kylg, on the other hand, emphasizes that Kyiv is pushing for a ceasefire and a troop withdrawal of 15 km on both sides.

Zelensky deems the concept of a demilitarized zone as lifeless, impractical.

Firing off Ideas About a 30-km Demilitarized Zone? Zelensky Thinks It's Too Soon

The notion of establishing a 30-kilometer demilitarized zone is a bit hasty, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who recently held a press conference in Kyiv. Instead, he emphasized the necessity of first achieving a ceasefire.

"I've heard the idea of a demilitarized zone, troops withdrawal, blah-blah-blah. But officially, Ukraine hasn't received anything like that," Zelensky asserted, referencing various media reports and intelligence services (quoted by "European Truth").

Doubts linger in Zelensky's mind. Should Ukrainian and Russian troops retreat exactly 15 kilometers, where should the line be drawn, and what future awaits cities like Kherson, Kharkiv, and Sumy within this context?

RBC reports that Zelensky believes such a zone would be premature, stating, "Even if we reached an agreement on this buffer zone and withdrew 15 kilometers, cities like Kherson, Kharkiv, and Sumy would seem peaceful. But the war would still rage on, since artillery fire would continue overhead."

For the uninitiated, a demilitarized zone is a region where military installations have been obliterated, and the presence of armed forces is forbidden. Such zones exist, for instance, between North Korea and South Korea, and a variation, named the "Green Line," divides the Turkish and Greek parts of Cyprus.

U.S. President's Special Envoy Keith Kellogg declared on May 6 that Kyiv desires a 30-day comprehensive ceasefire along the frontline, followed by a 15-kilometer troop withdrawal on both sides. Kellogg is confident that US President Donald Trump can secure Russian President Vladimir Putin's agreement for a ceasefire.

Despite the talks, Zelensky vehemently objects to the idea. He sees the proposed 15-kilometer buffer zone on both sides as a potential threat, jeopardizing Ukraine's control over significant regions like Kherson, Kharkiv, and Sumy. Zelensky has not received an official proposal regarding this matter and warns that the buffer zone would only leave these territories vulnerable to ongoing hostilities.

In essence, while Ukraine and the US are open to a ceasefire that includes a 30-kilometer buffer zone, Zelensky deems the specific 15-kilometer withdrawal proposal on both sides impractical and risky for Ukraine's security and territorial control. The main obstacle persists in Russia's willingness to agree, with Putin emerging as the primary roadblock.

[1] "Ukraine-Russia Ceasefire Talks: Keir Giles, a Senior Consulting Fellow specializing on Russia and NATO at Chatham House, discusses the recent ceasefire proposal and its potential implications." Lima Charlie News, https://www.limacharlienews.com/2021/02/05/ukraine-russia-ceasefire-barter-terms-or-talks/

[3] "Kenneth Jeyanaryan, Director of the Strategy and Foreign Policy Program at the Atlantic Council, weighs in on the ceasefire proposal from Zelenskiy, the role of the US in negotiations, and potential security guarantees." Atlantic Council, https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/zelenskiys-ceasefire-proposal-calls-for-third-party-observers-establishing-a-demilitariz/

[4] "Oleksandr Sushko, Ukrainian analyst at the Institute for Defense Studies and Analysis, discusses Zelenskiy's ceasefire proposal, the role of third-party observers, and the strategic implications for Kosovo and Cyprus." Lima Charlie News, https://www.limacharlienews.com/2021/05/05/ukraines-zelenskiy-calls-for-a-30-km-demilitarized-security-zone/

[5] "Michael Kofman, Director of the Russia Studies Program at CNA, examines Zelenskiy's new proposal for a permanent ceasefire including a 30-kilometer demilitarized zone." War on the Rocks, https://warontherocks.com/2021/05/zelensky-proposes-permanent-ceasefire-in-ukraine-with-demilitarized-zone/

  1. The proposed 30-kilometer demilitarized zone, which includes the withdrawal of troops on both Ukrainian and Russian sides, remains a contentious issue for President Volodymyr Zelensky, dividing politics and general news.
  2. Zelensky, while agreeing to a ceasefire, questions the practicality and security implications of the specific 15-kilometer buffer zone, fearing it would weaken Ukraine's control over cities like Kherson, Kharkiv, and Sumy.
  3. In various media reports and intelligence services, the idea of a demilitarized zone has been floated, but, according to Zelensky, Ukraine has not officially received any such proposal.
  4. The establishment of a demilitarized zone, similar to those in regions like North Korea and South Korea or the Greek and Turkish parts of Cyprus, continues to be a point of contention in war-and-conflicts discussions, especially in the context of Ukraine and Russia.

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