The media reported that Europe is considering the option of creating a buffer zone in Ukraine.

European leaders are discussing the possibility of creating a 40-kilometer buffer zone in Ukraine as part of efforts to resolve the conflict peacefully. This was reported by the Politico newspaper on August 28.

Citing sources in diplomatic circles, the publication reports that it is about the Europeans' attempts to achieve a breakthrough in the peace process by making concessions that may be beneficial to Russia. The idea of creating a buffer zone is one of the options currently being considered as part of a ceasefire or long-term settlement initiative.

"The fact that officials are playing with blocking a strip of land inside Ukraine in order to impose a fragile peace is evidence of the desperation of NATO allies," the article emphasizes.

Commenting on the situation, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense James Townsend said that such steps look like "grasping at straws." He expressed doubt about the effectiveness of the proposed buffer zone, noting that "Russians are not afraid of Europeans." Townsend added that even if British or French troops are stationed in this territory, they will not be able to stop the advance of Russian troops if Moscow decides to continue its actions.

According to the newspaper, European diplomats are discussing the possibility of deploying a contingent of 4,000 to 60,000 people in the buffer zone, but this initiative was not considered during a videoconference on August 25 attended by senior NATO military officials. Among the participants of the meeting were Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US Armed Forces Dan Kane and the Supreme Commander of the NATO Joint Armed Forces in Europe, General Alexus Grinkevich.

The newspaper also notes that European states expect the Ukrainian side to provide the bulk of the contingent to create a buffer zone or ensure compliance with the ceasefire.

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On August 22, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Europe should take a leading role in ensuring security for Ukraine after the end of the conflict. According to him, the United States will take part in security guarantees for Kiev, but the administration of the American leader Donald Trump believes that Europe should take the initiative.

In addition, the Turkish Cumhuriye newspaper reported on August 21 that the Ukrainian authorities need to understand that the main factor in ensuring the country's security will be the refusal to join NATO and the presence of European military personnel on their territory. The publication added that Europe considers Ukraine as a buffer, and the leaders of the European Union openly declare that the Ukrainian army allegedly performs the functions of the first line of defense.

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