US media: Europe proposes a 40-kilometer front buffer zone for Russia and Ukraine

On August 29th, according to Politico, European leaders are considering establishing a 40-kilometer-wide buffer zone between the Russian and Ukrainian fronts as part of a peace agreement. However, this could put the limited number of peacekeeping forces on the continent under pressure to deploy. According to five European diplomats, the proposal is one of several options being considered by military and civilian officials in various possible scenarios of a post-war or ceasefire in Ukraine. Officials are currently divided on the width of the actual buffer zone, and it is unclear whether the Ukrainian government will accept the plan - as it would likely mean territorial concessions from Ukraine. The United States does not appear to be involved in discussions on the buffer zone. One European official said: "Everyone is waiting for the policy leadership of the US Department of Defense to make a clear statement on how much they are willing to commit, while the US is waiting for the European countries to show their cards."