If Russia wants to stay away, let it move deeper into the occupied territories — Zelenskyy on creating «buffer zone»

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has commented on reports that the United States and Europe are proposing to create a buffer zone between Ukraine and Russia.

He said this during a briefing on Friday, 29 August.

Zelenskyy confirmed that he had repeatedly heard these proposals from Europeans and Americans, and not only about 40 but also about 100 kilometres.

He believes that such proposals can only be made by those who do not understand the technical capabilities of modern weapons. In addition, military equipment and weapons are already located at a distance, because everything is hit by drones.

«The dead grey zone already exists. There is no need to waste time and accept additional conditions from Russia or some other dreamers. The buffer zone exists. If Russia wants to have a greater distance from us, they can move deeper into the temporarily occupied territories. We don't need anything for that. Drones burn everything. If the parties give the drones commands to burn everything for 20 kilometres, it will be for 20. If for 40, it will be for 40. The teams have the appropriate weapons. That is, there is no need to delay anything, it has long been delayed,» Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

In addition, according to him, Russia does not keep equipment on the front line in order not to lose it.

«Where is the armoured equipment? Where are the tanks? There are zero. There is nothing left. No one is moving forward because everyone is losing equipment. Day, night. At any time. Therefore, this is just unnecessary talk,» Volodymyr Zelenskyy is convinced.

The President reminded that the issue of buffer zones was discussed in the Minsk process when the war was different. Back then, Ukraine and Russia withdrew equipment, but it did not work.

Earlier, the media reported that European diplomats were discussing the possibility of creating a 40-kilometre buffer zone between the Ukrainian and Russian front lines as part of a potential peace agreement.