Ukraine did not agree to the creation of a demilitarized zone in Donbas, emphasized the President’s Office while commenting on the Le Monde article. An adviser to Volodymyr Zelensky described the negotiations on this topic as purely theoretical.
The Office of the President of Ukraine refuted the information from the French newspaper Le Monde claiming that Kyiv supposedly agreed to the United States’ demands for creating a demilitarized zone in Donbas. According to the President’s Office adviser Mykhailo Podolyak, the idea of a demilitarized zone was purely the result of theoretical discussions. Dmytro Lytvyn, a communications adviser to Volodymyr Zelensky, also stressed that such issues require resolution at a high political level.
The publication by Le Monde claimed that Ukraine was willing to withdraw forces from both sides of the front line. French journalists quoted Podolyak, who supposedly detailed what would be withdrawn and the role international monitoring missions would play. However, Lytvyn stated that this was an incorrect presentation and translation. In a comment to LIGA.net, Podolyak emphasized that these were theoretical models being discussed in negotiation processes.
Discussions around the possible establishment of a buffer zone occur against the backdrop of disagreements among negotiation participants regarding Donbas. On December 8, Volodymyr Zelensky noted that there was no common vision with Russia on this issue. During a meeting with journalists on December 11, Zelensky added that the United States insists on a complete cease-fire only after the signing of a framework peace agreement.
| Date | Event | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| December 8 | Zelensky’s statement | Lack of unified position on Donbas |
| December 11 | Meeting with journalists | U.S. position: cease-fire after peace agreement |
