Europe proposes to create 40-kilometre buffer zone between Ukraine and Russia - mass media

European leaders are considering the possibility of creating a 40-kilometre buffer zone between the positions of Russian and Ukrainian troops as part of a potential peace agreement.

This was reported by Politico with reference to five European diplomats.

The essence of the initiative

The idea is to form a demilitarised strip where a stationed international peacekeeping contingent would monitor compliance with the ceasefire.

However, the final parameters have not yet been determined. Not only the depth of the zone is being discussed, but also the number of forces needed to patrol it. The proposed options range from 4,000 to 60,000 troops.

Difficulties of implementation

• European states have not yet made any commitments.

• US President Donald Trump has ruled out the possibility of US troops participating in the mission.

• Kiev may reject the plan if it implies territorial concessions.

Experts' assessment

Former Pentagon official Jim Townsend, who was in charge of NATO policy in Barack Obama's administration, said:

The Russians are not afraid of the Europeans. And if anyone thinks a few British or French observers will stop them from invading, it's an illusion.

The initiative is being discussed against the backdrop of Russia's missile attack on Kiev on 28 August, which damaged the European Union's representative office building.

European Council President António Costa accused Moscow of a targeted attack, while Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga called it a violation of the Vienna Convention on the Protection of Diplomatic Missions.