Ukraine rejects Le Monde report on alleged readiness for Donbas buffer zone
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (photo: Getty Images)
The Office of the President of Ukraine has dismissed information published by the French outlet Le Monde about Kyiv allegedly being ready to agree to the creation of a so-called buffer zone in Donbas as part of talks with the United States, presidential communications adviser Dmytro Lytvyn told journalists.
The president's team emphasizes that Le Monde's interpretations are incorrect.
Lytvyn explained that the head adviser, Mykhailo Podolyak, told the French outlet not about Ukraine's agreement, but about the theoretical possibility of discussing different security models. However, everything depends on details, control mechanisms, and legal guarantees.
In other words, Podolyak noted that any decision on such issues can be made exclusively at the highest political level or by the people of Ukraine.
"Whether Ukraine agrees or does not agree can be decided only at the highest political level or by the people of Ukraine, as the president said to journalists yesterday," Lytvyn added.
What Le Monde wrote about Donbas and what Zelenskyy said yesterday
In a Le Monde publication, claims were made that Ukraine had allegedly agreed to conditions for the formation of a demilitarized zone, provided that troop withdrawals occur on both sides. Reportedly, this key concession from Ukraine's side in a potential peace agreement was also approved by European leaders.
Yesterday, during a conversation with journalists, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he had heard all the proposals from the American side and, through them, effectively from the Russian side, regarding the territory of the Donetsk region.
According to him, these approaches clearly do not align with Ukraine's interests, but dialogue must continue, and adequate solutions must be sought.
The president explained that it concerns different models of troop withdrawal — for example, symmetrical distancing by 5 or 10 kilometers from both sides, as well as the need for international monitoring, as happens in many conflicts.
"The Russians want the entire Donbas, but we obviously do not accept this. And the Americans are looking for a format. They discussed the issue of a free economic zone. The Americans call it that, while the Russians call it a demilitarized zone," Zelenskyy said yesterday.
Ukraine's position is to hold positions, that is, along the contact line. A discussion is ongoing between these different positions, and nothing has yet been determined.
However, Zelenskyy pointed out that if a free economic or demilitarized zone is proposed, where only civilians and police can be present, the question remains: what would prevent Russian forces from advancing further or infiltrating under the guise of civilians?
The president emphasized that these are serious issues and that there is no guarantee that Ukraine will agree to such conditions. He said that if partners speak about compromise, it must be fair and balanced for both sides.
