Zelenskyy criticizes Kellogg's idea of 15 km buffer zone: 'We'll lose Kherson'
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The idea of creating a 15-kilometer buffer zone on both sides of the front line in Ukraine could be dangerous. It could lead to a loss of control over cities, says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a press conference after the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing.
According to Zelenskyy, he heard questions about the demilitarized zone and the disengagement of troops “from different people, from different intelligence agencies.” However, no one had officially offered Ukraine such a thing.
“Like sappers: everyone is looking for some opportunities to conduct an experiment with us,” Zelenskyy added.
He believes that this idea is not very viable.
“It depends on the monitoring format. The issue of the demilitarized zone in both directions - why 15? And from which line we will count, from the border, from which contact line,” Zelenskyy said.
There are many difficulties in this matter, the president adds. He recalled that missiles were also fired at Ukraine from the territory of Belarus, which means that 15 km deep into the Belarusian border, according to the relevant logic, a DMZ should also be created.
“Besides, the range of modern artillery and drones is much longer than 15 kilometers. Even if we are talking about 15 kilometers, what are we going to do with the city of Kherson? This immediately means that there will be no our troops in Kherson. If we don't have our troops in Kherson, we won't have Kherson,” Zelenskyy said.
The situation is similar with Pokrovsk and other frontline cities.
“There are no illusions that there will be no violations of the ceasefire. But this is a very important step. If after that we agree to a buffer zone and move back 15 kilometers, then cities like Kherson, Kharkiv, and Sumy will continue to be at war, while we will all seem to be in peace. Because artillery will be flying to them. So it is premature to talk about this. The idea (to disengage troops - ed.) is not alive viable,” the president summarized.
Kellogg's idea of a buffer zone
US special envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg voiced the idea of a demilitarized zone controlled by Ukraine and Russia. According to him, the Ukrainian army and the Russian army could move 15 kilometers away from the current contact line on both sides, which would allegedly allow for a demilitarized zone and its monitoring.
Earlier today, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia must begin on Monday, May 12. If the Kremlin refuses to implement a full and unconditional ceasefire, it will face tough sanctions.
