France's "Le Monde" publication published an article, citing Mykhailo Podolyak, advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, stating that Kyiv might agree to the creation of a demilitarized zone in Donbas and the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the region within the framework of negotiations with the US and Russia.
According to the publication's claim, this approach was supported by European countries and included in the updated “peace plan” presented by President Volodymyr Zelensky to US President Donald Trump on December 10.
The article noted that international observers and a foreign contingent could be deployed to a possible demilitarized zone in Donbas, and that this model resembles the zone created between North and South Korea in 1953. The "Financial Times" publication, however, writes that the US is urging Ukraine to withdraw troops from the remaining territories of Donetsk region, with the understanding that Russian troops would not enter those territories.
According to Modern.az, Kyiv has denied the information disseminated by the French publication regarding Ukraine's potential agreement to create a “buffer zone” in Donbas.
Dmytro Lytvyn, advisor on communication issues to the Office of the President of Ukraine, stated that "Le Monde"'s comments are “inaccurate” and it is incorrect to say that Ukraine has given such consent. According to him, Mykhailo Podolyak, advisor to the Head of the Office of the President, said in his interview with the French publication that Ukraine did not give specific consent, but only theoretically discussed various security models. Lytvyn emphasized that any model depends on details, control mechanisms, and legal guarantees. He added that whether Ukraine reaches any agreement can only be decided by the country's highest political leadership or the Ukrainian people.
