Camilla Jessen
Vladimir Putin pushes plans for a new military buffer along the Russia–Ukraine border.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly criticized Vladimir Putin’s recent call to create a “security buffer zone” along the Russia–Ukraine border, saying it proves the Russian president is actively blocking efforts toward peace.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said on May 22 that the Russian proposal shows Putin himself is the problem, not the solution.
“These words visually prove that Putin himself is the obstacle to peace,” Tykhyi said in a statement published by Ukrainska Pravda. “Pressure must be increased on Russia and Putin in all forms to force a full, lasting ceasefire.”
Putin announced the move on May 21, saying Russian forces would establish a military buffer zone across the Kursk, Bryansk, and Belgorod regions.
According to the Kremlin, the purpose is to protect Russian territory from Ukrainian attacks.
“A decision has been made to create a security buffer zone along the border,” Putin said, without offering clear details on the zone’s size or timeline.
But Ukrainian officials view it very differently.
Buffer Zone Violates Sovereignty
Presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak also condemned the plan, saying it reveals Russia’s refusal to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty or territorial integrity.
This isn’t about defense. It’s a way to justify further military activity while avoiding real negotiations.
Officials in Kyiv argue that the buffer zone — framed by Moscow as a “defensive” step — is in fact a tactic to gain more ground and shift focus away from stalled peace talks and mounting international pressure.
Putin’s buffer zone order came just as international pressure was rising for a temporary ceasefire.
Western leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, have called for de-escalation.
However, Russia has rejected those suggestions.
On May 21, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed the West was trying to push the U.S. — and President Trump — to impose harsher sanctions rather than pursue diplomacy.