According to U.S. Political News Network on August 28, several European officials revealed that European leaders are considering setting up a 40 km buffer zone between Russia and Russia to push Ukraine and Russia to reach a peace deal.
Five European diplomats said the buffer zone was one of the many proposals put forward by the European military and foreign community to end the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, and that there were still some disagreements among European officials about the scope of the buffer zone.
The United States does not appear to have participated in discussions on the buffer zone plan. A European official revealed that NATO held a video conference with Defense Ministers on the 25th. Participants included Dan Kane, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Alexus Grinkevich, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander and Commander of the U.S. European Command., but this meeting did not discuss the proposal to establish a buffer zone.
Reports said that Europe is considering blockading part of its territory in Ukraine and forcing it to achieve a "fragile peace," indicating that Europe is eager to end the conflict that has lasted for three and a half years. However, the division of land has far-reaching historical significance, so European diplomats tend to compare the buffer zone plan to Germany's east-west division during the Cold War.
Russia has also proposed the idea of a buffer zone before. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian officials have said that Russia is seeking to establish a buffer zone on the Russia-Ukraine border, but did not disclose the specific details of the proposal.
On August 18, Ukrainian President Zelensky and European leaders met with US President Trump Vision of China
European countries are also discussing the issue of "peacekeeping forces". European officials said that countries are considering deploying 4,000 to 60,000 soldiers in Ukraine, but no country has yet made any commitments. Two European diplomats revealed that if the buffer zone plan is implemented, the "peacekeeping force" will undertake a dual task: patrolling the demilitarized zone while training Ukrainian troops.
According to the officials, French and British troops could form the core of the "peacekeeping force", which they are lobbying other allies to provide military assets. However, European countries have different views on the "peacekeeping force", with Estonia preferring to send some troops and Poland and Germany making it clear that they have no intention of sending troops.
Politico News pointed out that European countries near Russia are generally concerned that the deployment of ground troops could lead to NATO's defensive capabilities. Poland and other eastern NATO countries believe that if they move more troops to Ukraine, they will be more vulnerable to attack.
A European official said NATO countries are now waiting for key details, including rules of engagement for NATO forces, how to respond to escalating situations, and whether third-country troops will be needed to patrol the area if Russia opposes NATO deployment of troops in the buffer zone. The official added: "Every country is pushing for security guarantees as quickly as possible so that Trump doesn't change his mind and no longer push Putin for a negotiated solution."
The U.S. government has ruled out sending U.S. troops, and President Donald Trump has previously stressed that the United States will not send ground troops to Ukraine and will ensure that Ukraine is protected through other means.
Reported that NATO member states are discussing with the United States to provide satellite intelligence and air support, but the United States is not expected to invest more. Pentagon officials have told European countries that the United States will only play a "minimal role" in Ukraine's security.
European officials believe that the United States may be the only NATO country with sufficient satellite resources to monitor Russia's compliance with the ceasefire agreement."Countries are waiting for Pentagon leaders to explain how much resources they are willing to invest, and they let the Europeans show their cards first, which is a bit like a dance."
Regarding the issue of “peacekeeping forces” discussed in Europe, Russian presidential press secretary Peskov said on August 27 that Russia would not accept NATO countries deploying troops in Ukraine. Peskov said: “There is no so-called “European army”, only the armies of various countries, most of which are NATO members. The expansion of NATO military facilities is one of the fundamental causes of the conflict.
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