Europe Weighs 40-Kilometer Buffer Zone in Ukraine as Part of Peace Framework

European leaders are quietly debating the creation of a 40-kilometer buffer zone between Ukrainian and Russian forces as part of potential postwar security arrangements.

The Gaze reports this, referring to Politico, citing diplomats familiar with the talks.

The idea is one of several scenarios being floated by military and civilian officials as they explore options for a future peace deal. But the plan remains highly sensitive: its implementation could imply territorial concessions by Kyiv, something Ukrainian officials are unlikely to accept.

Five European diplomats told the outlet that discussions have not yet produced consensus on the depth or scope of such a demilitarized zone, and the United States has so far stayed out of the talks. 

President Donald Trump has already ruled out sending U.S. troops to enforce any arrangement.

Diplomats involved stress that the proposal is not meant to replicate the heavily fortified border between North and South Korea, but rather resembles the divided Germany of the Cold War era. 

Still, questions loom over how many troops would be required to police the zone, with estimates ranging from 4,000 to 60,000.

According to officials, any international mission would likely serve two functions: patrolling the demilitarized area and training Ukrainian forces. 

France and the United Kingdom are seen as the most likely to provide the backbone of any such contingent, with both countries already urging allies to contribute personnel and resources.

Key details remain unresolved, including rules of engagement for NATO troops, potential responses to renewed Russian escalation, and whether non-NATO countries might need to join the mission if Moscow resists a direct Alliance presence.

“Everyone is trying to move as quickly as possible on security guarantees so Trump doesn’t change his mind about pushing Putin to a negotiated settlement,” one European official said.

For now, the buffer zone proposal has not featured in NATO-level discussions. The defense ministers’ videoconference earlier this week, diplomats noted, made no mention of it.

As The Gaze reported earlier, Special Envoy of the U.S. President for Ukraine Keith Kellogg revealed that Kyiv may be open to the creation of a demilitarized buffer zone as part of a ceasefire arrangement with Russia.