Politico, citing its own sources, reported that European leaders are discussing the possibility of creating a 40-kilometer buffer zone in Ukraine as part of efforts to achieve a peaceful settlement of the conflict.

According to the newspaper, this proposal is seen as an attempt by Europeans to push the peace process forward by making concessions that could benefit Moscow. The plan is one of several initiatives under consideration as potential steps toward a ceasefire. Politico wrote that «the fact that EU officials are toying with the idea of carving out a strip of land inside Ukraine to impose a fragile peace underscores NATO allies' desperation.»

Former U. S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense James Townsend commented that such measures looked like «grasping at straws." He argued that the creation of a buffer zone would not be effective, since «the Russians are not afraid of Europeans." Townsend added that even the deployment of European troops into the zone would not stop a Russian advance if Moscow decided to continue fighting.

Politico reported that European diplomats have discussed the possibility of deploying between 4,000 and 60,000 troops to this buffer area. However, the idea was not addressed during a videoconference held on August 25. The publication also noted that EU states are counting on Ukraine itself to provide the majority of forces for establishing and maintaining the ceasefire zone.

On August 22, U. S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that once the conflict ends, Europe should take the lead in providing security guarantees for Ukraine. He said that Washington would also be involved, but emphasized that the White House expects the European Union to assume primary responsibility.

Earlier, on August 21, the Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyet wrote that the authorities in Kiev must recognize that their country’s security ultimately depends on rejecting NATO membership and accepting the presence of European troops on Ukrainian territory. The publication stressed that Europe merely views Ukraine as a buffer zone, and EU leaders openly acknowledge that the Ukrainian armed forces serve as the first line of defense.