Ukraine peace plan may include demilitarized zone, NATO support
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Western countries are weighing a Ukraine settlement plan with a demilitarized zone, NATO-trained troops, and European forces, but Russia rejects NATO presence.
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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer watches a demonstration by troops as he visits the Netherlands marines training base, as part of the UK-Netherlands Joint Amphibious Force in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Tuesday, June 24, 2025 (AP)
Western nations are considering a plan to create three lines of defense as part of a potential settlement in Ukraine, including a demilitarized buffer zone patrolled by neutral peacekeepers, the Financial Times reported Tuesday, citing European and Ukrainian officials.
The proposal follows a meeting at the White House on August 18, where US President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders. According to Italy’s La Stampa, the talks included discussions on establishing a demilitarized zone modeled after the Korean Peninsula.
Under the draft framework, a demilitarized zone would be monitored by troops from third countries acceptable to both Kiev and Moscow. Behind that line, Ukrainian troops, armed and trained by NATO, would secure the border. A European-led deterrence force would serve as the third layer deeper inside Ukrainian territory, while US support would come in the form of intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, command-and-control, and air defense systems, according to the report.
US officials told the Financial Times that Washington could provide such support if European countries commit tens of thousands of troops to Ukraine. However, they cautioned that the offer could be withdrawn and emphasized that the United States remains opposed to sending its own forces.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, meanwhile, warned that the presence of NATO state troops on Ukrainian territory, regardless of whether they operate under a peacekeeping mandate, would be regarded as a threat to Russia. “Moscow will not accept it under any circumstances,” he said.
US says to play intel role
The United States has signaled readiness to provide intelligence assets and battlefield oversight as part of post-conflict security guarantees for Kiev, alongside participation in a Europe-led air defense shield, the Financial Times reported Tuesday, citing European and Ukrainian officials.
According to the officials briefed on the matter, Washington has repeatedly offered to contribute “strategic enablers” such as intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems, command and control capabilities, and air defense assets to any European framework established to ensure Ukraine’s security.
The proposal, however, would be conditional on European nations deploying their own troops to Ukraine and could be rescinded, the officials cautioned. At the same time, US officials emphasized that Washington remains opposed to sending its own forces.
US to support Ukraine post-war
On Monday, US President Donald Trump confirmed that while the exact security guarantees had not been finalized, the United States would play a supportive role. “Europe is going to give Ukraine significant security guarantees, and the US will help them,” he said, describing Washington’s contribution as “backup.”
The development comes after Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders at the White House last week for talks on Ukraine’s future security framework. Trump later held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the peace process, following their August 15 meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, which lasted nearly three hours.
Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said both leaders agreed that direct negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian delegations should continue, with the possibility of raising the level of representation.
Russia not to accept NATO troops in Ukraine
In a post on X Wednesday, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev stated that NATO troops cannot be peacekeepers in Ukraine, emphasizing that Russia will not accept such security guarantees for Kiev.
Earlier this week, French President Emmanuel Macron told TF1 and LCI broadcasters that Russia had allegedly become a "destabilizing force" and a "threat to Europeans."
"The brainless Gallic rooster [Macron] can't let go of the idea of sending troops to 'Ukraine.' It's been explicitly stated: NO NATO troops as peacekeepers. Russia won't accept such a 'security guarantee.' But the hoarse, pathetic bird continues to crow to prove it's king of the coop," Medvedev said on X, commenting on Western discussions about sending troops to Ukraine.
