Media reveal plan for Ukraine buffer zone with troops from Bangladesh and others
Photo: A large buffer zone may have been created in Ukraine (Getty Images)
If a peace agreement is reached, Ukraine could see the creation of a large demilitarized (buffer) zone, monitored internationally and guarded by troops from non-NATO countries, including Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia, NBC News reports.
The plan includes a large demilitarized area - its exact borders have not yet been determined - that would separate Russian and Ukrainian positions within Ukraine and serve as a safeguard against new aggression.
Sources familiar with the plan say that, due to its technological capabilities, Washington could take the lead in monitoring the zone using drones, satellites, and other intelligence tools.
US actions would be coordinated with other countries, contributing their own resources.
Meanwhile, the protection of the buffer zone could be provided by troops from non-NATO states such as Saudi Arabia or even Bangladesh. American forces would not enter Ukrainian territory.
Some sources noted that Putin would need to agree to any plan for providing Ukraine with security guarantees. Any involvement of NATO, or even the appearance of it, would be a major obstacle for Moscow. As a result, planners are carefully avoiding NATO forces or anything resembling NATO branding.
“Instead, some of the guarantees would be likely to rely on the troops from non-NATO countries and on a patchwork of bilateral agreements among Ukraine and its allies that would give Ukraine security assurances without involving NATO’s Article V - an attack on one means an attack on all - which amounts to a red line for Moscow,” NBC News noted.
In addition, Türkiye would handle the economic dimension of Ukraine’s security. President Erdoğan would be responsible for ensuring the free flow of goods and services in the Black Sea through maritime monitoring and enforcement of rules in the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits.
However, NBC News emphasized that any plan remains preliminary until it is approved by Presidents Zelenskyy and Putin, as well as other world leaders, including US President Donald Trump.
Reports say that Trump and Putin developed the plan during their meeting in Alaska on August 15. Initially, it was expected to pave the way for further negotiations, possibly even direct talks between Putin and Zelenskyy, but progress has since slowed.
Despite this, Ukraine’s allies continue working on potential security guarantees, which could be key to achieving peace.
Meetings in Alaska and Paris
On August 15, US President Donald Trump met with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, to discuss Russia’s military actions in Ukraine.
Although a ceasefire was not agreed upon, Ukraine’s allies continued work on potential security guarantees and peace agreement scenarios.
On September 4, leaders of several European countries met at the Élysée Palace in Paris to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine.
Following the meeting, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that a political and military proposal to provide security guarantees for Ukraine, from 35 leaders, is currently on the table.
These guarantees are intended to deter future Russian aggression. Details of the US contribution have not yet been finalized.
